Relationship between Balance and Depression in Elderly

Robins Kumar, Ruby Aikat, and Alakananda Banerjee

Keywords

Balance, Depression, Community Dwelling Elderly

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between balance and depression in the elderly. Methodology: 95 elderly subjects were taken from the Safdarjang Enclave, New Delhi and Gurgaon, Haryana, India in 2010-2011; Hindi mental status examination (HMSE) was administered to exclude the patients having cognitive problems with a score ≤ 19. Berg balance scale (BBS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were then applied to assess the balance and depression. Results and Discussion: BBS has a significant negative linear correlation with GDS and age. Also, balance was also found to be predictive for depression. It was found that as the balance level decreases, the depression increases and the vice versa and with the age, balance problem also increases respectively. It was also found that males were more prone to balance problems as compare to females; and females were more prone to depression as compared to males. Conclusion: Balance had a significant negative linear correlation with depression and age.

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