Single Leg Balance, Vestibular Input, Turns During Gait and Cognitive Components as Predictors of Gait Speed Alteration in Hispanic Latinx Participants Living with HIV

Those living with HIV experience a number of complications that negatively affect gait. Gait speed is an important predictor of overall health, and people living with the virus experience an accelerated decline as the disease progresses. Purpose: To identify components associated with gait speed decreased. Methods: Thirty individuals diagnosed with HIV, a stable immune system (cd4=878.5) and aged 60.31±7.8 years (19 males, and 11 females) were recruited for this study from a clinical fitness specialized in HIV. Participants completed the HIV dementia scale, vestibular fukuda test, 5 challenging single leg balance tests, 5 time sit to stand, and a 7-meter walk. Results: A multiple linear regression analysis revealed the association of all components to the prediction of gait speed (R2 = [.963], F(df regression =15, df residual=6) = [F-10.5], p = [p-0.004]) except for the lower limb strength. Conclusion: Exercise interventions that include vestibular stimulation, such as head rotations, single limb activities, and dynamics turning tasks, should be added to a 3 point (cardio, strengthening and stretching) exercise program. Physical therapists and exercise physiologists should assess and treat all those aforementioned components.