Article

OBJECTIVE: To identify neuromuscular, balance, and vision factors that contribute
to falls in recently treated breast cancer survivors (BCS) and explore links
between fall risk factors and cancer treatment.
DESIGN: Case-control plus
prospective observation. SETTING: Comprehensive cancer center. PARTICIPANTS: BCS
(N=59; mean age, 58y) within 2 years of chemotherapy completion and/or on
adjuvant endocrine therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Objective measures of postural control, vision, and neuromuscular function
included: (1) a sensory organization test (SOT), (2) a visual assessment battery,
(3) muscle mass by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and (4) neuromuscular
function with strength by repetition maximum, power by timed stair climb, and
gait speed by 4m walk. Falls were self-reported for the past year (retrospective)
and monthly for 6 months (prospective). RESULTS: Fifty eight percent of BCS
reported falls in the past year. BCS with a history of falls had lower SOT scores
with a vestibular deficit pattern in postural control (P<.01) and took longer to
read letters on the contrast sensitivity chart (P<.05). Vestibular score on the
SOT mediated the relationship between treatment and falls among BCS who received
chemotherapy only, but not adjuvant endocrine therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Results of
this project suggest that balance disturbances of vestibular origin and delays in
detecting low contrast visual stimuli are associated with falls in BCS. Future
studies that track falls and fall risk factors in BCS from diagnosis through
treatment are warranted, as are studies that can identify treatment-related
vestibular dysfunction and altered visual processing.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS