The Relation between Functional Performance, Falls and Previous Falls Among Participants in the Otago Programme: A Secondary Data Analysis

Abstract

Fall prevention is a key priority in healthcare policies. Multicomponent exercises reduce the risk of falls. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between functional performance and falls after following the Otago multicomponent exercise programme and previous falls. A prospective multi-centre intervention study was performed on 498 patients aged over 65 in primary care, with or without a history of previous falls. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and functionality data were collected. The primary outcome was the occurrence of falls; functional performance was measured using the Tinetti, Short Physical Performance Battery and Timed Up and Go tests. Among the patients, 29.7% referred to previous falls. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in falls at 6 months (10.1%) and at 12 months (7.6%) among participants with previous falls in the baseline assessment compared to those without. In addition, the existence of previous falls could be considered a risk factor at 6 and 12 months (OR =2.37, p = 0.002, and OR = 1.76, p = 0.046, respectively). With regard to balance and gait, differences between the groups were observed at 6 months in the Tinetti score (p < 0.001) and in the baseline assessment Timed Up and Go score (p < 0.044). Multicomponent exercises improve the fall rate, balance and gait in older people, although this improvement is less in people with previous falls. Earlier intervention and tailoring of exercises in patients with previous falls could help improve outcomes.

Health-Related Physical Fitness as a Risk Factor for Falls in Elderly People Living in the Community: A Prospective Study in China

“…Although most descriptive and retrospective studies positively support older adults at higher risk of falls with worse HRPF outcomes (10)(11)(12)(13), prospective evidence more rigorous and scientific for the HRPF at predicting falls among communitydwelling elderly is less clear. The previous prospective studies used logistic-regression models, Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC), or covariate-adjusted regression models to analyze the correlation between falls and HRPF (14)(15)(16)(17). Traditional regression techniques have practical limitations in analyzing multicollinear variables, which can cause fluctuations in the regression results and poor model stability.…”