Self-perceived functional ability and performance-based testing of physical function in older women with or without long-term back pain - results of the H70 study

Influence of self-perceived disability on squatting kinematics in individuals with patellofemoral pain

BACKGROUND

Individuals with patellofemoral pain have a heterogeneous presentation of symptoms during functional tasks; however, biomechanical data often negates self-reported disability. The single leg squat is common in patellofemoral pain literature but may not be a pain provoking task for all individuals. Therefore, our study examined the influence of self-perceived squatting disability in individuals with patellofemoral pain on lower extremity squatting kinematics.

METHODS

We analyzed two-dimensional hip frontal plane projection angle, knee frontal plane projection angle, lateral trunk movement, and pelvic drop in 100 participants, 82 with patellofemoral pain and 18 pain-free controls. Participants with patellofemoral pain were dichotomized based on the level of disability reported during squatting on the anterior knee pain scale. An analysis of variance with post hoc testing was used to compare differences in lower extremity and trunk kinematics between groups, p < 0.05.

FINDINGS

Participants who reported only being able to squat with partial weight bearing had greater hip frontal plane projection angles than those who reported squatting painful each time (p = 0.017). The partial weight bearing group had greater knee frontal plane projection angles compared those who reported pain with repeated squatting and the pain-free group, (p < 0.034). We found no significant differences in lateral trunk motion or pelvic drop between groups.

INTERPRETATION

Individuals with patellofemoral pain who self-reported worse squatting disability had greater hip and knee frontal plane motion compared to individuals with less disability and pain-free controls. Clinicians and researchers should consider specific pain provoking tasks when evaluating and treating patients with patellofemoral pain.

Self-Assessment of Mobility of People over 65 Years of Age

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Nowadays, various clinical scoring systems are used in the medical care of the elderly to assess the quality of mobility. However, people often tend to under- or overestimate themselves in many aspects. Since this can have serious consequences in their treatment and care, the aim of this study was to identify differences in the self and external assessment of mobility of persons over 65 years of age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

222 participants over 65 years of age and one external, closely-related relative or professional caregiver were interviewed by a unique study assistant using a standardized questionnaire. Participants were divided into people living in nursing homes and independent people living at home, where either the caregivers or the relatives provided the external assessment of mobility, respectively. The questionnaire included demographics, cognitive abilities (Mini Mental Status Test); fall risk (Hendrich 2 Fall Risk Model); as well as the Parker Mobility Score, Barthel Index, and EQ-5D-5L to measure mobility, activities of daily life and quality of life. In each case, the participant and the external person were asked for their assessment to the participants' mobility situation. Statistical significance of the difference between self and external assessment was calculated with a Wilcoxon rank-sum test and assumed with a p-value of ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

Self-assessment indicated a significantly higher value, when compared to an external assessment for the Parker Mobility Score for females in nursing homes (p ≤ 0.01), as well as for the Barthel Index for females (p ≤ 0.01) and males (p ≤ 0.01) in nursing homes. The EQ-5D-5L received a significantly higher self-assessment value for females (p ≤ 0.01) and males (p ≤ 0.01) living at home and females (p ≤ 0.01) and males (p ≤ 0.05) in nursing homes.

CONCLUSIONS

Persons over 65 years of age tend to overestimate their level of mobility, quality of life and activities of daily life. Especially for people living in nursing homes, these scoring systems should be treated with caution due to the differences between the verbal statements. It is important to properly assess the mobility situation of elderly patients to ensure correct medical treatment and prevention of falls.