The Physical Performance Test as a predictor of frequent fallers: a prospective community-based cohort study

Author:

Delbaere Kim1,Van den Noortgate Nele2,Bourgois Jan,Vanderstraeten Guy,Tine Willems,Cambier Dirk3

Affiliation:

1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Ghent, Belgium

2. Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Ghent, Belgium

3. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Abstract

Objective: To construct a risk model in order to identify elderly individuals at risk of frequent falling. Design: Prospective community-based cohort study over 12 months. Setting: Baseline measures were performed at a local community centre. Subjects: Two hundred and sixty-three community-dwelling elderly people (mean age 72 years). Measurements: A variety of variables were evaluated, including medical, psychological, sensory, physical and postural control measurements. Fall incidence was monitored retrospectively and during one-year follow-up. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that polypharmacia was the most prominent medical fall predictor with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.29 (P =0.005), poor visual acuity the best sensory predictor (OR=0.84; P =0.009) and general fear of falling the most crucial psychological predictor (OR=3.25; P B=0.001). Increased postural sway in near-tandem stance with eyes open was selected as the best balance predictor for falls (OR=5.60; P =0.010), followed by delayed anteroposterior movement velocity during rhythmic weight shifts (OR=0.42; P =0.004). The best physical predictor was a low score on the Physical Performance Test (OR=4.16; P <0.001), followed by decreased maximal handgrip strength (OR=0.87; P <0.001) and increased timed chair-stands (OR=1.13; P <0.003). Step-by-step regression analysis revealed a risk model for the prediction of future falls, as a combination of the Physical Performance Test and maximal handgrip strength. Conclusion: This study confirms the multicausality of falls, since medical, psychological, sensory, postural control as well as physical variables provides a predictive value. The composed fall risk model was mainly physically oriented.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Rehabilitation,Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3