Dizziness, Physical Exercise, Falls, and Depression in Adults and the Elderly

Teixeira, Adriane Ribeiro; Wender, Mariane Heckmann; Gonçalves, Andréa Kruger; Freitas, Cíntia de La Rocha; Santos, Ana Maria Pujol Vieira dos; Soldera, Cristina Loureiro Chaves

doi:10.1055/s-0035-1566304

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Original Research • Int. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol. 20 (02) • Apr-Jun 2016 • https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1566304 copy

Dizziness, Physical Exercise, Falls, and Depression in Adults and the Elderly

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Introduction

Dizziness is a symptom that can lead to falls, which, in turn, undermine oné s independence and autonomy, leading to several comorbidities. The practice of physical exercise, however, can help prevent falls.

Objective

The objective of this study is to confirm the association between physical exercise, dizziness, probability of falling, and depressive symptoms in a group of middleaged adults and seniors.

Methods

The authors evaluated subjects based on history, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and functional reach test.

Results

The sample consisted of 90 individuals with a mean age of 69.3 6.8 years. The authors found that 37.8% had been practicing exercise, 33.7% had depressive symptoms, and their probability of falling was above average in the functional reach test.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicated an association between dizziness, exercise practice and depressive symptoms, indicating that physical activity is a beneficial factor for the aging population.

Keywords:
dizziness; falls; depression; exercise

Variables	Distribution
Variables	Absolute (n)	Relative (%)
Gender*
Male	44	48.9
Female	46	51.1
Age (years)
Average ± standard deviation	69.3 ± 6.8
Minimum – maximum	59–84
Age group (years)*
From 59 to 64	30	33.3
From 65 to 74	35	38.9
75 years or more	25	27.8
Practice of physical exercise* ¥ NR = 5 (2.5%)
No	56	62.2
Yes	34	37.8
Time of physical exercise practice*
Less than 1 year	5	14.7
Between 1 and 3 years	10	29.4
Between 4 and 6 years	8	23.5
Between 7 and 10 years	5	14.7
More than 10 years	6	17.6
Dizziness*
No	54	60.0
Yes	36	40.0

Variables	Distribution
Variables	Absolute (n)	Relative (%)
GDS* ₡ NR = 11 (12.2%)
Absence of depression symptoms	52	65.8
Light to moderate symptoms	24	30.4
Serious symptoms	3	3.3
Anterior Functional Reach Test (dislocation in cm)
Average ± standard deviation	28.2 ± 9.2
Minimum – maximum	0.0–44.5
Anterior Functional Reach Test – probability of falls* ₳ NR = 8 (8.8%)
High	4	4.9
Medium	20	24.4
Low	58	70.7

Variables	Dizziness		p (value)
Variables	No (n= 54)	Yes (n= 36)	p (value)
Gender*			0.182 ¶
Male	30 (55.6)	14 (38.9)
Female	24 (44.4)	22 (61.1)
Age (years)			0.249 §
Average ± standard deviation	68.6 ± 6.7	70.3 ± 6.9
Minimum – maximum	59–84	60–83
Age group (years)*			0.028 ɸ*
From 59 to 64	18 (33.3)	12 (33.3)
From 65 to 74	26 (48.1)	9 (25.0)
75 years or more	10 (18.5)	15 (41.7)
Physical exercise practice			0.069¶
No	29 (53.7)	27 (75.0)
Yes	25 (46.3)	9 (25.0)
GDS* ₡
Absence of depressive symptoms	39 (81.3)	13 (41.9)
Light to moderate symptoms	8 (16.7)	16 (51.6)	0.001£**
Serious symptoms	1 (2.1)	2 (6.5)
Anterior Functional Reach Test (dislocation in cm)
Average ± standard deviation	30.1 ± 10.6	25.3 ± 5.4	0.008§ **
Minimum – maximum	0.0–44.5	16.0–40.0
Anterior Functional Reach Test (probability of falls)*
High	4 (8.0)	0 (0,0)
Medium	5 (10.0)	15 (46.9)	<0.001£ **
Low	41 (82.0)	17 (53.1)

Depressive symptoms	Physical exercise
	No (n= 55)		Yes (n= 24)
	Dizziness
	No (n= 26)	Yes (n= 29)	No (n= 19)	Yes (n= 5)
Absent	22 (75.9)	9 (34.6)	17 (89.5)	4 (80.0)
Light/moderate	6 (20.7)	16 (61.5)	2 (10.5)	0 (0.0)
Serious	1 (3.4)	1 (3.8)	0 (0.0)	1 (20.0)
p (value)§	0.002**		0.243

Co-variables	Total sample (n= 79)	Occurrence of dizziness		OR	IC95% OR£	p
Co-variables	Total sample (n= 79)	n	%	OR	IC95% OR£	p
Practice of physical exercise
No	56 (62.2)	27	48.2	2.205	1.122–6.447	0.014
Yes	34 (37.8)	9	26.5	1.000	- - -	- - -
Depressive symptoms*
Absence of depression	52 (65.8)	13	41.9	1.000	- - -
Light to moderate	24 (30.4)	16	51.6	4.527	1.319–15.530	0.016
Serious	3 (3.8)	2	6.5	0.355	0.023–17.541	0.874
Depressive symptoms*
Absence of depression	52 (65.8)	13	41.9	1.000	- - -
Presence of depression	27 (34.1)	18	66.7	2.118	1.234–4.657	0.038
Anterior Functional Reach Test* - Probability of Falls
High	4 (4.9)	0	0.0	- - -	- - -
Medium	20 (24.4)	15	75.0	4.075	1.127–14.740	0.032
Low	58 (70.7)	17	29.3	1.000	- - -

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[1] Address for correspondence Adriane Ribeiro Teixeira, Department of Health and Human Communication - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2777 / 315 - Anexo I da Saúde da UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035003, Brazil (e-mail: adriane.teixeira@gmail.com).