Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the factors contributing to near-falls in the past month and falls in the past 12 months in community-dwelling older adults.
Background: Near-falls have been viewed as a “precursor” of falls in older adults. However, little is known about the risk factors for near-falls in community-dwelling older adults. Determining the risk factors for near-falls would help to identify older individuals who are at a higher risk of falls.
Methods: Community-dwelling older adults who are (1) 65 years or older; (2) able to walk independently indoor and outdoor were recruited. Demographics, history of near-falls and falls, fear of falling, balance confidence, activity avoidance, physical performance, reactive balance, cognitive function, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and functional activities of the participants were assessed.
Results: Until May 2021, 59 participants were recruited. Nineteen participants (32%) had at least 1 near-fall in the past month, and 25 participants (44%) had at least 1 fall in the past 12 months. Fear of falling (OR = 0.91, p = 0.047) and lower limb strength (OR = 1.07, p = 0.044) were associated with near-falls, while reactive balance (OR = 1.75, p = 0.032) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.12, p = 0.035) were associated with falls.
Conclusion: The preliminary results show that fear of falling and lower limb strength may be associated with near-falls, and the factors contributing to near-falls and falls in community-dwelling older adults may be different. Further study using a larger sample is therefore indicated to examine the risk factors for near-falls.
Background: Near-falls have been viewed as a “precursor” of falls in older adults. However, little is known about the risk factors for near-falls in community-dwelling older adults. Determining the risk factors for near-falls would help to identify older individuals who are at a higher risk of falls.
Methods: Community-dwelling older adults who are (1) 65 years or older; (2) able to walk independently indoor and outdoor were recruited. Demographics, history of near-falls and falls, fear of falling, balance confidence, activity avoidance, physical performance, reactive balance, cognitive function, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and functional activities of the participants were assessed.
Results: Until May 2021, 59 participants were recruited. Nineteen participants (32%) had at least 1 near-fall in the past month, and 25 participants (44%) had at least 1 fall in the past 12 months. Fear of falling (OR = 0.91, p = 0.047) and lower limb strength (OR = 1.07, p = 0.044) were associated with near-falls, while reactive balance (OR = 1.75, p = 0.032) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.12, p = 0.035) were associated with falls.
Conclusion: The preliminary results show that fear of falling and lower limb strength may be associated with near-falls, and the factors contributing to near-falls and falls in community-dwelling older adults may be different. Further study using a larger sample is therefore indicated to examine the risk factors for near-falls.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 27 Nov 2021 |
| Event | 12th Pan Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation - Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Duration: 27 Nov 2021 → 28 Nov 2021 https://www6.rs.polyu.edu.hk/ppcr2021/ |
Conference
| Conference | 12th Pan Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Hong Kong |
| City | Hong Kong |
| Period | 27/11/21 → 28/11/21 |
| Internet address |