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Background: The evidence to support effective fall prevention strategies in older people with cognitive impairment (CI) is limited. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to determine the efficacy of a fall prevention intervention in older people with CI. Method: RCT involving309 community-dwelling older people with CI. The intervention group (n = 153) received an individually prescribed home hazard reduction and home-based exercise program during the 12-month study period. The control group (n = 156) received usual care. The primary outcome was rate of falls. Secondary outcomes included faller/multiple faller status, physical function, and quality of life. Results: Participants' average age was 82 years (95% CI 82-83) and 49% were female. There was no significant difference in the rate of falls (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.05; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.73-1.51). A sensitivity analysis, controlling for baseline differences and capping the number of falls at 12 (4 participants), revealed a nonsignificant reduction in fall rate in the intervention group (IRR 0.78; 95% CI 0.57-1.07). Analyses of secondary outcomes indicated the intervention significantly reduced the number of multiple fallers by 26% (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.54-0.99) when adjusting for baseline differences. There was a differential impact on falls in relation to physical function (interaction term p-value =. 023) with a significant reduction in fall rate in intervention group participants with better baseline physical function (IRR 0.60; 95% CI 0.37-0.98). There were no significant between-group differences for other secondary outcomes. Conclusions: This intervention did not significantly reduce the fall rate in community-dwelling older people with CI. The intervention did reduce the fall rate in participants with better baseline physical function. Clinical Trials Registration Number: Australian and New Zealand Trials Registry ACTRN12614000603617. more...

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OBJECTIVES: The distinction between dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) relies upon the evaluation of independence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Self- and informant reports are prone to bias. Clinician-based performance tests are limited by long administration times, restricted access, or inadequate validation. To close this gap, we developed and validated a performance-based measure of IADL, the Sydney Test of Activities of Daily Living in Memory Disorders (STAM). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (Sydney Memory and Ageing Study). SETTING: Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 554 community-dwelling individuals (54% female) aged 76 and older with normal cognition, MCI, or dementia. MEASUREMENTS: Activities of daily living were assessed with the STAM, administered by trained psychologists, and the informant-based Bayer-Activities of Daily Living Scale (B-ADL). Depressive symptoms were measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (15-item version). Cognitive function was assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Consensus diagnoses of MCI and dementia were made independently of STAM scores. RESULTS: The STAM showed high interrater reliability (r = 0.854) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.832). It discriminated significantly between the diagnostic groups of normal cognition, MCI, and dementia with areas under the curves ranging from 0.723 to 0.948. A score of 26.5 discriminated between dementia and nondementia with a sensitivity of 0.831 and a specificity of 0.864. Correlations were low with education (r = 0.230) and depressive symptoms (r = -0.179), moderate with the B-ADL (r = -0.332), and high with cognition (ranging from r = 0.511 to r = 0.594). The mean time to complete the STAM was 16 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The STAM has good psychometric properties. It can be used to differentiate between normal cognition, MCI, and dementia and can be a helpful tool for diagnostic classification both in clinical pract more...

Background: The rate of falls in community dwelling older people with cognitive impairment (CI) is twice that of a cognitively intact population, with almost two thirds of people with CI falling annually. Studies indicate that exercise involving balance and/or a home hazard reduction program are effective in preventing falls in cognitively intact older people. However the potential benefit of these interventions in reducing falls in people with CI has not been established.This randomised controlled trial will determine whether a tailored exercise and home hazard reduction program can reduce the rate of falls in community dwelling older people with CI. We will determine whether the intervention has beneficial effects on a range of physical and psychological outcome measures as well as quality of life of participants and their carers. A health economic analysis examining the cost and potential benefits of the program will also be undertaken. Methods and design. Three hundred and sixty people aged 65 years or older living in the community with CI will be recruited to participate in the trial. Each will have an identifiable carer with a minimum of 3.5 hours of face to face contact each week.Participants will undergo an assessment at baseline with retests at 6 and 12 months. Participants allocated to the intervention group will participate in an exercise and home hazard reduction program tailored to their cognitive and physical abilities.The primary outcome measure will be the rate of falls which will be measured using monthly falls calendars. Secondary outcome measures will include the risk of falling, quality of life, measures of physical and cognitive function, fear of falling and planned and unplanned use of health services. Carers will be followed up to determine carer burden, coping strategies and quality of life. Discussion. The study will determine the impact of this tailored intervention in reducing the rate of falls in community dwelling older people with CI as more...

The rate of falls in community dwelling older people with cognitive impairment (CI) is twice that of a cognitively intact population, with almost two thirds of people with CI falling annually. Studies indicate that exercise involving balance and/or a home hazard reduction program are effective in preventing falls in cognitively intact older people. However the potential benefit of these interventions in reducing falls in people with CI has not been established. This randomised controlled trial will determine whether a tailored exercise and home hazard reduction program can reduce the rate of falls in community dwelling older people with CI. We will determine whether the intervention has beneficial effects on a range of physical and psychological outcome measures as well as quality of life of participants and their carers. A health economic analysis examining the cost and potential benefits of the program will also be undertaken. more...