Association between physiological falls risk and physical performance tests among community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

BackgroundPhysical performance and balance declines with aging and may lead to increased risk of falls. Physical performance tests may be useful for initial fall-risk screening test among community-dwelling older adults. Physiological profile assessment (PPA), a composite falls risk assessment tool is reported to have 75% accuracy to screen for physiological falls risk. PPA correlates with Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. However, the association between many other commonly used physical performance tests and PPA is not known. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between physiological falls risk measured using PPA and a battery of physical performance tests.MethodsOne hundred and forty older adults from a senior citizens club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (94 females, 46 males), aged 60 years and above (65.77±4.61), participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were screened for falls risk using PPA. A battery of physical performance tests that include ten-step test (TST), short physical performance battery (SPPB), functional reach test (FRT), static balance test (SBT), TUG, dominant hand-grip strength (DHGS), and gait speed test (GST) were also performed. Spearman’s rank correlation and binomial logistic regression were performed to examine the significantly associated independent variables (physical performance tests) with falls risk (dependent variable).ResultsApproximately 13% older adults were at high risk of falls categorized using PPA. Significant differences (P<0.05) were demonstrated for age, TST, SPPB, FRT, SBT, TUG between high and low falls risk group. A significant (P<0.01) weak correlation was found between PPA and TST (r=0.25), TUG (r=0.27), SBT (r=0.23), SPPB (r=−0.33), and FRT (r=−0.23). Binary logistic regression results demonstrated that SBT measuring postural sways objectively using a balance board was the only significant predictor of physiological falls risk (P<0.05, odds ratio of 2.12).ConclusionThe reference values of physical performance tests in our study may be used as a guide for initial falls screening to categorize high and low physiological falls risk among community-dwelling older adults. A more comprehensive assessment of falls risk can be performed thereafter for more specific intervention of underlying impairments.

Short-term effects of additional sensory information in mobility and gait speed in older fallers

“…The results demonstrated a decrease in TUG time with the use of the subpatellar strip. The lower of the value obtained in the test, the better functional mobility of the individual (22,25) . The test is also highly recommended as a predictor of risk of falls, in such way the elderly who has a good TUG score can be considered with low risk of falls, increased functional mobility and reduced balance deficit (25,26) .…”

“…The lower of the value obtained in the test, the better functional mobility of the individual (22,25) . The test is also highly recommended as a predictor of risk of falls, in such way the elderly who has a good TUG score can be considered with low risk of falls, increased functional mobility and reduced balance deficit (25,26) . However, it is a simple and easy to perform tool, the TUG test is considered complex for the elderly, as it consists of performing weight transfers, walking and turning to return to the starting point.…”

“…Hence, lower values show an improvement in mobility, postural balance, higher walking speed and a lower risk of fall (25) .…”

“…The test should be performed once for familiarization and a second time for taking time (5.23) . Even though the use of a cut-off value (24) is not recommended, Schoene et al (25) indicates the value of 10s for sedentary elderly, while Alexandre et al (26) recommends values of 12.47s for the Brazilian elderly population.…”

Melhora do equilíbrio postural em mulheres idosas com o uso de informação sensorial adicional

“…In geriatric rehabilitation, increased MS usually predicts advance in independence and mobility 30 , as it brings improvement of physical functions and reduces disabilities and use of medical services 31 . MS evaluation is simple, and it can indicate a good aging condition and greater ability to recover in situations in which older people suffer an overload, such as falling [32][33][34] . MS can be used as a guide to map and categorize older people who present high and low risk of falls.…”