One-year longitudinal study on spinal kyphosis and respiratory function incommunity-dwelling older Japanese adults who require long-term care orsupport

摘要

[Purpose] To clarify the effects of longitudinal changes in older adults by evaluatingthe relationship between changes in spinal kyphosis and respiratory function over time inpatients with certified need of care in the long-term care insurance system. [Participantsand Methods] We included 57 older adults (28 males and 29 females) aged ≥65 years who wereidentified as requiring long-term care or support. The participants werecommunity-dwelling individuals undergoing ambulatory rehabilitation. We assessed thelongitudinal changes in spinal kyphosis index, respiratory function and muscle strength,and body composition over 1 year. [Results] The spinal kyphosis index was 10.5 at thefirst measurement and 14.6 at 1 year after the first measurement, showing a significantincrease. We did not detect any significant differences in respiratory function and musclestrength, or body composition. [Conclusion] This 1 year longitudinal comparison suggeststhat the spinal kyphosis indexes were high, and the respiratory function and trunk musclemass remained unchanged. Therefore, the relationships were negligible.