Citation

Cameron MH, Asano M, Bourdette DN, Finlayson ML. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2013; 94(8): 1562-1566.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, and Portland VA Medical Center. Electronic address: cameromi@ohsu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2013.01.021

PMID

23391522

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of fall prevention strategies by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who do or do not fall. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: All assessments were completed between January, 2011 and December, 2011. Data used in this analysis were collected as part of an observational study that included baseline assessment followed by prospective counting of falls using fall calendars. PARTICIPANTS: 58 people with MS of any subtype, aged 18-50 years, with Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤ 6.0, recruited from MS clinics at the Portland VA Medical center and Oregon Health & Science University and from the surrounding areas. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the occurrence of falls over three months and scores on the Fall Prevention Strategy Survey (FPSS), and relationships between fall prevention strategy use reported on the FPSS and falls. RESULTS: 52 subjects completed the study. Of these, 33 (63%) fell at least once in the 3 month period and 19 (36%) did not fall. The mean total FPSS score for the fallers was significantly higher than for the non-fallers (mean 8.1 vs 4.0, range 0-20 vs 0-15, s.d. 6.4 vs 4.1, p = 0.007), and FPSS scores correlated with monthly fall rates (Rho = 0.49, p = 0.01). A higher proportion of fallers than non-fallers used the strategies of turning on lights at home, asking others for help, and talking to a healthcare professional about fall prevention. However, both groups rarely talked to a healthcare professional about fall prevention or asked a provider to check whether any medications might increase fall risk. CONCLUSION: People with MS who fall use more fall prevention strategies than those who do not fall.

Language: en