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Posted by Rachael Lowe on August 31, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Despite research supporting its validity in predicting falls, simple reaction time (SRT) is not typically included in a clinical falls assessment battery because there is no standardised, clinically feasible testing protocol with published cut off scores. This study aimed to determine whether SRT scores obtained using a clinically viable protocol could discriminate between multiple and single fallers. SRT scores were obtained from 147 participants (88 women and 59 men) over…
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Posted by Rachael Lowe on August 23, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between balance, attention, and dual-task performance in individuals with acquired brain injury. Twenty-four individuals aged 18 to 58 years (mean = 39 years) with acquired brain injury who were able to ambulate 40 ft with (29%) or without an assistive device were included. Fifty-eight percent were independent community ambulators. Fifty-four percent had fallen in the past 6 months; and 42%…
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Posted by Rachael Lowe on June 1, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of falls and muscle strength, flexibility, and balance in postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis. A total of 133 women with and 133 without osteoporosis, aged 60 years old or greater, were included in the study. Women were interviewed about clinical and social demographic characteristics and the occurrence of falls in the previous 12 months. The variables…
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Posted by Rachael Lowe on April 28, 2010 · Leave a Comment
This study quantifies kinematic differences between stroke survivors, with and without a falls history, and age-matched healthy counterparts in turning coordination during the 180° turn around in the Timed "Up & Go" (TUG) test. Full-body kinematics were recorded while participants performed the 180° turn around in the TUG. Dependent measures were time to turn, number of steps to turn, and measures of axial segment coordination. Although participants who…
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Posted by Rachael Lowe on April 26, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The aim was to evaluate whether gait pattern changes between single- and dual-task conditions were associated with risk of falling in older people. Dual-task cost (DTC) of 230 community living, physically independent people, 75 years or older, was determined with an electronic walkway. Participants were followed up each month for 1 year to record falls. Mean and variability measures of gait characteristics for 5 dual-task conditions were compared to single-task…
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Posted by Rachael Lowe on March 19, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new dynamic standing balance assessment test for identifying individuals at risk for falling in a group of community-dwelling older adults. This was a cross-sectional observational study of 72 community-dwelling older adults who were receiving rehabilitation in a geriatric day hospital. A Dynamic Balance Assessment (DBA) test protocol was developed based on the concept of the Sensory Organization Test and the Clinical…
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Posted by Rachael Lowe on March 8, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Falls, loss of health-related quality of life and physical capacity, reduced participation in activities of daily living, and increased fear of falling are all potential outcomes for older adults discharged from hospital. A low-cost video based exercise programme may address this. This study was a randomized controlled trial with blinded outcomes assessment and a six-month follow-up. Participants were older adults (>65 years) using a mobility aid discharged from a tertiary…
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Posted by Rachael Lowe on February 20, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce falls by older people in nursing care facilities and hospitals. 41 trials (25,422 participants) were included. In nursing care facilities, the results from seven trials testing supervised exercise interventions were inconsistent. This was the case too for multifactorial interventions, which overall did not significantly reduce the rate of falls or risk of falling. A…
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Posted by Rachael Lowe on February 20, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The objective of this study was tto evaluate the impact of a multifaceted community-based programme aimed at optimising evidence-based management of patients at risk for fall-related fractures. A total of 201 patients were allocated to the intervention group or to usual care. Components of the intervention included assessment of falls risk, functional status and home environment, and patient education. Primary outcome was the implementation of appropriate falls risk assessment…
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Posted by Rachael Lowe on February 20, 2010 · Leave a Comment
This study sought to determine whether a single exercise program affects fracture risk (bone mineral density [BMD] and falls), coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, and health care costs in community-dwelling elderly women. 246 women were randomly assigned to an 18-month exercise program (exercise group) or a wellness program (control group). The exercise group performed a multipurpose exercise program with special emphasis on exercise intensity; the controls focused on well-being…
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