Postural Balance in the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Relationship to Accidental Falls

This study analyzed postural balance in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment and its relationship to accidental falls. A quantitative and quasi-experimental method was used in a sample of 43 elderlies between 64 and 88 years old, mostly females. Data collection was performed in two Basic Health Units in the city of Rio de Janeiro in 2014. The instruments used were the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Tinetti scale, Motor Scale for the Elderly (EMTI) scale, and Elderly Falls Diary. The data were analyzed with the SAS statistical software version 9.3.1. The scales were applied before and after the psychomotor interventions. A significant difference was observed between the evaluating moments. Balance improvements were observed in all age groups, suggesting that all elderlies, regardless of age, showed satisfactory responses to the implemented psychomotor activities. The elderlies who fell more frequently were those between 60 and 69 years old. It is noteworthy that the age group with the lowest incidence of falls was that of elderlies between 70 and 79 years old. It was concluded that psychomotor activities are beneficial, regardless of age, proving their effectiveness when continued stimuli with cognitive and psychomotor activities are carried out.

The Application of Scales in the Diagnosis of Perceived Needs in the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment

The study evaluated the use of the Mini-Mental State Examination scale (MMSE), Tinettiscale, and Motor Scale for the Elderly (EMTI) toassist in the diagnosis of potential needs observed in elderlies with Mild Cognitive Impairment. This was aquasi-experimental research, conducted in a Basic Health Unit in thecityof Rio de Janeiro in 2014. The sample population consisted of 22 elderlies aged 64 to 88 years and 86.36% females. The SAS statistical software (version 9.3.1) and Kruskal-Wallis test were used at a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of 0.05 and demonstrated significant differences in the evaluations performed before and after the intervention. The detected diagnoses were: impaired memory, the risk of falls, and willingness to improved relationships, among others. The evaluations showed MMSE results that were suggestive of cognitive impairment in 22.73% of the elderlies;the Tinetti scale showed a high risk of falls in 31.82% of theelderlies;and EMTI with 88.36 points, which was equivalent to the normal low classification. The intervention took place through ten weekly activity sessions after the initial evaluations. In the second evaluation, the Tinetti showed 59.09% of the elderlies with a moderate risk of falls and the EMTI as the normal average classification with 90.32 points. It was concluded that the scales offered diagnostic possibilities, which allowed for the implementation of necessary interventions according to the detected problems.