Ethnic differences in walking speed of the elderly: a meta-analysis comparison of elderly Japanese and non-Japanese individuals

WCPT Congress 2015 / Physiotherapy 2015; Volume 101, Supplement 1 eS26–eS426

Keywords: Cycling efficiency; Motor control; Critical power Funding acknowledgements: None. Ethics approval: The project was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Western Kentucky University. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.203 Research Report Poster Presentation Number: RR-PO-13-09-Sat Saturday 2 May 2015 12:15 Exhibit halls 401–403 ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN WALKING SPEED OF THE ELDERLY: A META-ANALYSIS COMPARISON OF ELDERLY JAPANESE AND NON-JAPANESE INDIVIDUALS M. Ando 1 , N. Kamide 2 1 Ushioda General Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation, Yokohama, Japan; 2 Kitasato University, School of Allied Health Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan

Background: Walking speed is a useful and convenient index in the clinical setting, and has been demonstrated to reflect the health status of elderly individuals. On the other hand, physical function tests for the elderly such as walking speed have been suggested to show ethnic differences (Aoyagi et al., 2001). However, ethnic differences in elderly walking speed are unclear, since studies on the issue have been insufficient. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify ethnic differences in walking speed by comparing walking speed in both Japanese and non-Japanese elderly individuals using a meta-analytical methodology. Methods: Relevant research articles that reported 5-m walking time for community-dwelling elderly individuals were identified from the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Igaku Chuo Zasshi (ICHUSHI) electronic databases. The relevant research articles were summarized to obtain information on participants (age, sex, ethnicity (Japanese or non-Japanese)), sample size, mean, and standard deviation for 5-m walking time. Data for 5-m walking time measured under comfortable conditions were collected for further statistical analysis. In statistical analyses, weighted means for 5-m walking time were calculated respectively from the Japanese and non-Japanese sample data using the randomeffects model. Effects of age, sex, and ethnicity (Japanese or non-Japanese) on 5-m walking time were then investigated using meta-regression analysis. Results: For 5-m walking time in Japanese elderly individuals, 20 studies (35 groups) were analyzed. The weighted mean of 5-m walking time in Japanese individuals was estimated at 4.18 s (95% confidence interval (CI), 3.89–4.47 s). For 5-m walking time in non-Japanese elderly individuals,

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16 studies (28 groups) were analyzed. The weighted mean of 5-m walking time in non-Japanese individuals was estimated at 4.24 s (95% CI, 4.08–4.40 s). A significant difference in 5-m walking time was identified between Japanese and nonJapanese elderly individuals using meta-regression analysis adjusted for age and sex. The 5-m walking time was 0.40 s faster (95% CI, 0.03–0.77 s) in Japanese elderly individuals than in non-Japanese elderly individuals. Conclusion(s): Walking speed appeared faster for Japanese community-dwelling elderly individuals than for non-Japanese elderly individuals. The present results thus suggest the existence of ethnic differences in walking speed among community-dwelling elderly individuals. Implications: Walking speed appeared faster for Japanese community-dwelling elderly individuals than for nonJapanese elderly individuals. The present results thus suggest the existence of ethnic differences in walking speed among community-dwelling elderly individuals. Keywords: Meta-analysis; Walking speed; Ethnicity Funding acknowledgements: This study was funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Young Scientists (B) No. 25870703). Ethics approval: This study was not involved human being. Therefore, ethics approval was not required. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.204 Research Report Platform Rapid 5 Presentation Number: RR-PLR5-783 Sunday 3 May 2015 10:45 Room 324–326 BARRIERS TO ACCESSING REHABILITATION SERVICES IN LOMÉ, TOGO AND WAYS TO ADDRESS THEM: PERSPECTIVES FROM PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES L. Angama 1 , A. Hofmeister 2 1 International

Committee of the Red Cross, Genève, Switzerland; 2 University of Liverpool, Public Health, Liverpool, United Kingdom Background: Eighty percent of persons with disabilities (PWD) in the world are living in low-income countries, where rehabilitation is part of their numerous unmet needs. In 2011, Togo ratified the Convention for the Right of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which is calling member state to organize, strengthen and extend rehabilitation services (RS). This study will investigate PWD perceptions about accessibility to RS and what solutions they propose in order to give recommendations on the basis of implementation of the CRPD. Purpose: The aim of the research was to explore barriers that persons with physical disability, in Lomé Togo face when accessing RS and to uncover PWD perspective on how to overcome these barriers. It is intended that the findings from