Balance impairment in individuals with COPD: a systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are four times more likely to fall than healthy peers, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Poor balance is a major risk factor for falls. This review aims to quantify the extent of balance impairment in COPD, and establish contributing clinical factors, which at present are sparse. METHODS: Five electronic databases were searched, in July 2017 and updated searches …