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A statistical approach to discriminate between non-fallers, rare fallers and frequent fallers in older adults based on posturographic data.
- Source :
-
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon) [Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon)] 2016 Feb; Vol. 32, pp. 8-13. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Dec 30. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: Identification of future non-fallers, infrequent and frequent fallers among older people would permit focusing the delivery of prevention programs on selected individuals. Posturographic parameters have been proven to differentiate between non-fallers and frequent fallers, but not between the first group and infrequent fallers.<br />Methods: In this study, postural stability with eyes open and closed on both a firm and a compliant surface and while performing a cognitive task was assessed in a consecutive sample of 130 cognitively able elderly, mean age 77(7)years, categorized as non-fallers (N=67), infrequent fallers (one/two falls, N=45) and frequent fallers (more than two falls, N=18) according to their last year fall history. Principal Component Analysis was used to select the most significant features from a set of 17posturographic parameters. Next, variables derived from principal component analysis were used to test, in each task, group differences between the three groups.<br />Findings: One parameter based on a combination of a set of Centre of Pressure anterior-posterior variables obtained from the eyes-open on a compliant surface task was statistically different among all groups, thus distinguishing infrequent fallers from both non-fallers (P<0.05) and frequent fallers (P<0.05).<br />Interpretation: For the first time, a method based on posturographic data to retrospectively discriminate infrequent fallers was obtained. The joint use of both the eyes-open on a compliant surface condition and this new parameter could be used, in a future study, to improve the performance of protocols and to verify the ability of this method to identify new-fallers in elderly without cognitive impairment.<br /> (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1879-1271
- Volume :
- 32
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 26775228
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.12.009