Effect of Chronic Alcohol Intake on Motor Functions and Quality of Life in Older Adults - A Pilot Study

Background and objective: Alcohol consumption causes alterations in the neural circuits which can cause severe physical dysfunctions. Furthermore, during natural aging process, several functional alterations are observed. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic and progressive disease influenced by genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors. Thus, considering the consequence of chronic alcohol consumption and natural ageing process, this study aimed to find the degree of motor impairment along with quality of life in older adults with chronic alcohol consumption. Method: A comparative study was conducted on older adults (>45 years) who consumed alcohol in Southern Karnataka. An analysis of alcohol consumption was done using AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test) questionnaire, which divided them into two groups- Alcohol Use Disorder group (AUD) and control group. All the participants underwent testing for motor function using Comprehensive Coordination Scale (CCS) and Six-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT). Quality of Life was analyzed using SF-36 questionnaire. Result: The results of the pilot study with 24 participants showed that CCS scores were significantly higher in control group. In 6-MWT, total distance covered by AUD group was significantly less than control group. Sf-36 showed statistically significant difference in the domains of physical functioning, role limitation due to physical health, energy/fatigue and social functioning. Interpretation and Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a detrimental effect of chronic alcohol consumption on motor functions and quality of life among older adults. Coordination and physical function were better in individuals consuming low-moderate levels as compared to heavy consumption (AUD). Quality of life was poorer in the domains of physical functioning, role limitation due to physical health, energy/fatigue and social functioning in AUD individuals. Key words: Alcohol Use Disorder, Quality of Life, motor coordination, physical function