What is the purpose of this research?
This research aims at investigating the causes of falls among older people with Alzheimer disease (AD) or frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and the necessity to develop a quantitative balance and gait measurement to protect a vulnerable group of people and develop preventive strategies (Velayutham, Chandra, Bharath, & Shankar, 2017).
What is the research question (or questions)? This may be implicit or explicit
There is no explicit research question in the article. Still, the authors want to find out if there is a possibility to protect older people with AD or FTD, and what balance and gait problems can be.
Give a complete description of the research design of this study
The researchers developed standardized methods of gait and balance assessment in all participants (Velayutham et al., 2017). It is a pilot study to evaluate the chosen issue and initiate further appropriate training methods to prevent falls.
What is the population (sample) for this study?
Twenty-four male participants aged 50-70 years are divided into three groups (with FTB, AD, and healthy volunteers). Age, gender, weight, and height factors were taken into consideration. People with different neurological conditions, visual deficits, or other cardiovascular or orthopedic problems were excluded.
Was the sampling approach adequate for the research design that was selected and explain why?
The sample was appropriate for the research design because there was no need for many participants or a huge scope. The task was to measure the balance in two different situations (limits of stability and dynamic balance).
Describe the data collection procedure
Dynamic balance was the first task during which three 20-seconds-long trials were done. The deviations from the original BOS were recorded using OBI, API, and MLI. The identification of the limits of stability was the second task during which the ability to come back to the original BOS was investigated regarding eight directions.
How were the data analyzed after collection?
Several methods of analysis were used in research: the Shapiro-Wilkins test to analyze the obtained parameters, the descriptive analysis to examine the results, paired t-test to analyze a dual-task, and one-way ANOVA to reveal the differences between the groups (Velayutham et al., 2017).
Discuss the limitations found in the study
The sample scope is the main limitation found due to the necessity to repeat the same research in a large population.
Discuss the authors’ conclusions. Do you feel these conclusions are based on the data that they collected?
The conclusions were based on the data collected. The authors revealed balance and gait problems in normal people, as well as the patients with AD and FTD. A differential pattern of balance and gait impairment was observed in AD and FTD patients. As soon as patients took postural stability and gait training programs, the chances to delay a future development of falls could be obtained. It was proved that falls could be prevented.
How does this advance knowledge in the field?
The authors introduced new methods to prevent falls among older patients with Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. There are many reasons why such patients can fall, and the method offered in this article is a significant contribution regarding such factors as gait and balance assessment. An additional biomarker was discovered to develop new training methods for a vulnerable group of people.
References
Velayutham, S. G., Chandra, S. R., Bharath, S., & Shankar, R. G. (2017). Quantitative balance and gait measurement in patients with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer diseases: A pilot study. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 39(2), 176-182. Web.