The effect of advanced age and stool modification on reaching distance in sitting.
Adeolu Ademiluyi, Alexander S Aruin
PMID 39493681WHAT IT FOUND
Adding leg supports to a stool increased forward reach distance in older adults by 8.7 cm.
They reached farther forward than sideways. The study compared healthy young and older adults, so it does not show how to treat patients with balance deficits.
Key findings
01Older adults reached farther forward when using a front leg support compared to no leg support, with an increase of 8.7 cm.
02Participants in both age groups reached significantly farther in the forward direction than in the lateral direction.
03Young adults consistently achieved longer reach distances than older adults across all modified seating conditions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study used a very small sample of only 12 older adults. All participants were healthy. The results may not apply to patients who already have balance problems or neurological conditions. The researchers did not measure the participants' trunk strength or spinal alignment, so we do not know how those factors influenced the results.
Declared interests
The authors reported no competing interests.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these specific reach distances apply to your patients with balance deficits. The study only tested healthy older adults, so the 8.7 cm gain might be smaller or larger in people with actual functional limitations.