The Occiput-Wall Distance Was Related to the Physical/Mental Outcomes in the Elders With Severe Flexed Posture, But Not the Dual Digital Inclinometer Thoracic Kyphosis

Purpose: To examine the usefulness of the dual digital inclinometer thoracic kyphosis and the occiput-wall distance (OWD) measures as a marker of the mental/physical status in older adults with severe flexed posture (FP). Method: The study was conducted with 16 nursing home-dwelling older adults (13 male/3 female) with severe FP (OWD > 8.0). Results: The OWD was correlated with the severity of fear of falling, cognitive function, depression, mobility, 10-m gait speed, and anterior trunk flexibility at moderate and good levels (v < .05). Conclusions: The OWD may be useful as a marker of the mental/physical status in older adults.