What is the purpose of this research?
The article discusses the research study aimed at the identification of the influence of gait and balance parameters on the condition of people with Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. The authors believe that these parameters can be used to analyze clients’ states and develop strategies targeted at fall prevention (Velayutham, Chandra, Bharath, & Shankar, 2017).
What is the research question (or questions)? This may be implicit or explicit.
Velayutham et al. (2017) wanted to find out what is the subclinical involvement of balance and gait. In particular, they were willing to identify a difference between effects made on individuals who experienced normal aging and those who were diagnosed with either frontotemporal dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Give a complete description of the research design of this study.
The study is based on quantitative research that presupposes the focus on numerical data and the use of numerous calculations. In addition to that, it is a case-control study, as the variables are compared in those people who suffer from frontotemporal dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and those who deal with normal aging.
What is the population (sample) for this study?
The sample of the study included 24 participants. All of them were males 50-70 years old. The whole sample was divided into three equal groups so that there were 8 people with frontotemporal dementia, 8 with Alzheimer’s disease, and 8 healthy volunteers. All of them were recruited from the “Outpatient Department of Neurology and Geriatric Clinic” (Velayutham et al., 2017, p. 177).
Was the sampling approach adequate for the research design that was selected and explain why?
The selected sample approach met the demands of the study design, as the researchers managed to create sample groups that did not differ from one another significantly. As a result, it was possible to focus on the alterations in patients’ characteristics associated with the discussed diseases.
Describe the data collection procedure.
Demographic characteristics were recorded while “the balance was measured by Biodex Balance Master Incorp., USA, using dynamic posturography, in single and dual tasks and gait with Biodex Gait Trainer” (Velayutham et al., 2017, p. 177). There were three tests for the sample targeted at dynamic balance, limits of stability, and gain assessment.
How were the data analyzed after collection?
Parameters were checked with the Shapiro–Wilkins test. Descriptive analysis was used to discuss personal information about the sample. The data obtained due to the study were analyzed with the help of paired t-test, ANOVA, and post hoc test. The Hindi Mental Status Examination score was also used.
Discuss the limitations found in the study.
This research is well conducted and it has only one critical limitation, which is its sample. The study is based only on 24 people. Moreover, all of them are served by one clinic. Thus, it is impossible to apply obtained results to a larger population.
Discuss the authors’ conclusions. Do you feel these conclusions are based on the data that they collected?
The authors conclude that the identification of normal patterns of aging can provide an opportunity to reveal cortical dementias in clients. In addition to that, it is possible to use these data to prevent patient falls. These conclusions coincide with the collected data.
How does this advance knowledge in the field?
The study conducted by Velayutham et al. (2017) is likely to benefit the field of health care as it provides professionals with an opportunity to consider a new biomarker associated with cognitive functions. Moreover, it can be used to develop new training methods for fall prevention that can be more beneficial than those used currently.
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.