TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - Physiological fall risk factors in cognitively impaired older people: a one-year prospective study
JO  - Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders
A1  - Taylor, Morag E.
A1  - Lord, Stephen R.
A1  - Delbaere, Kim
A1  - Mikolaizak, A. Stefanie
A1  - Close, Jacqueline C. T.
SP  - 181
EP  - 189
VL  - 34
IS  - 3-4
N2  - Background/Aims: Cognitively impaired older people are at twice the risk of falls compared to cognitively intact, with approximately 60% falling once or more per year. This study aimed to investigate sensorimotor and balance risk factors for falls in cognitively impaired older people. Methods: 177 community-dwelling older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination < 24, Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised < 83) were assessed using the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA). Falls were recorded prospectively for 12 months using monthly calendars with the assistance of carers. Results: Seventy-one participants (43%) fell ≥2 times in the follow-up period. Impaired simple reaction time, postural sway, leaning balance and increased PPA fall risk score were significantly associated with multiple falls. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for the PPA model including tests of vision, proprioception, knee extension strength, reaction time, postural sway and leaning balance was 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.83). Conclusion: These findings indicate poor performance on physiological fall risk factors, particularly balance, increases the risk of falls in older cognitively impaired people.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1420-8008
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000343077
ID  - ref1
ER  -