• Osuna A
• Pérez-Uñate A

• Aged
• Geriatrics
• Open Access Document
• Postural Balance
• Quality of Life

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the improvements in the instrumented timed up and go test, pain, and health-related quality of life in three geriatric patients with forward head posture, receiving chiropractic care.

Three geriatric patients presented to a private chiropractic clinic seeking care on different dates. Patient A had a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, Patient B had chronic low back pain and failed back surgery syndrome, and Patient C suffered from neck pain and neurogenic bladder.

The patients were evaluated in the timed up and go test while wearing an inertial measurement unit. Grip strength was also measured. Improvements were noted in pain and grip strength after a program of chiropractic care. Also, multiple improvements were observed in the different variables of the timed up and go test.

The results from this case series reveal that a program of postural-based chiropractic care can improve certain timed up and go parameters, grip strength, pain, and health-related quality of life. More research is necessary to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between chiropractic care and improvements in timed up and go variables, which translates into a reduction in the risk of falling and improved quality of life. 

Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; timed-up and go, biomechanics, grip strength, vertebral subluxation, geriatric.

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