Pain, balance, grip strength and gait parameters of older adults with and without post‐chikungunya chronic arthralgia

Summary Objective To compare the levels of pain, grip strength, balance and gait in older adults with and without post‐Chikungunya chronic arthralgia (PCCA). Methods Sixty‐two older adults, 30 with and 32 without PCCA participated in the study. Pain level was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Gait during a 10‐m walk was assessed using inertial sensors. Semi‐static balance was assessed during an eyes‐closed bipedal balance test on a force platform, and grip strength was assessed using a hand dynamometer. Results Participants with PCCA presented severe levels of pain (VAS > 7.5), poorer balance, lower grip strength, walked slower, with lower cadence and stride length and higher stride time and stride length variability than participants without PCCA (P 7,5), un équilibre plus médiocre, une force de préhension moindre, une marche plus lente, une cadence et une longueur de foulée plus faibles et une variabilité plus longue du temps et de la longueur des foulées par rapport aux participants sans ACPC (p