1. Prediction of future falls in a community dwelling older adult population using instrumented balance and gait analysis
- Author
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Bauer, Christoph, Gröger, I., Rupprecht, R., Marcar, V.L., Gaßmann, K.G., Bauer, Christoph, Gröger, I., Rupprecht, R., Marcar, V.L., and Gaßmann, K.G.
- Abstract
Background: The role of instrumented balance and gait assessment when screening for prospective fallers is currently a topic of controversial discussion. Objectives: This study analyzed the association between variables derived from static posturography, instrumented gait analysis and clinical assessments with the occurrence of prospective falls in a sample of community dwelling older people. Methods: In this study 84 older people were analyzed. Based on a prospective occurrence of falls, participants were categorized into fallers and non-fallers. Variables derived from clinical assessments, static posturography and instrumented gait analysis were evaluated with respect to the association with the occurrence of prospective falls using a forward stepwise, binary, logistic regression procedure. Results: Fallers displayed a significantly shorter single support time during walking while counting backwards, increased mediolateral to anteroposterior sway amplitude ratio, increased fast mediolateral oscillations and a larger coefficient (Coeff) of sway direction during various static posturography tests. Previous falls were insignificantly associated with the occurrence of prospective falls. Conclusion: Variables derived from posturography and instrumented gait analysis showed significant associations with the occurrence of prospective falls in a sample of community dwelling older adults.
- Published
- 2018