Characteristics of balance ability related to life space of older adults in a day care center

Abstract The study aimed to clarify the life space of older adults who use a day care center, to explore for factors related to life space, and to identify the balance elements related to life space. In a cross-sectional study at a day care center located in Japan, 64 adult day care users were assessed using the Life Space Assessment (LSA), Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES), and Stops Walking When Talking test. A correlation analysis between the LSA score and variables and a stepwise multiple regression analysis with the LSA score as the dependent variable and the sub-items of the Mini-BESTest as explanatory variables were performed. The median LSA score was 45.8 (interquartile range: 34–62.8, range: 16–100) points. The LSA score showed a significant correlation with all the sub-items and total scores of the Mini-BESTest and the MFES. Based on the result of the multiple regression analysis, anticipatory postural adjustments (β = 0.31, p = 0.015) and dynamic gait (β = 0.30, p = 0.019) were incorporated into the model (R 2 = 0.28, p < 0.001). The life space of adult day care users is narrow, and the 28.4% variance of life space is explained with anticipatory postural adjustments and dynamic gait.