Search results for "accidental fall"

[Osteoporosis and diabetes].

2011

Diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis are chronic diseases with an elevated and growing incidence in the elderly. Recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated an elevated risk of hip, humerus and foot fractures in elder diabetic subjects. While type 1 diabetes is generally associated with a mild reduction in bone mineral density (BMD), type 2 diabetes, more prevalent in old subjects, is frequently linked to a normal or high BMD. Studies on experimental models of diabetes have suggested an altered bone structure that may help to explain the elevated risk of fractures observed in these animals and may as well help to explain the paradox of an incremented risk of fractures in type 2 diabetic …

Gait asymmetry, ankle spasticity, and depression as independent predictors of falls in ambulatory stroke patients

2017

Background Falls are the leading cause of injury in stroke patients. However, the cause of a fall is complicated, and several types of risk factors are involved. Therefore, a comprehensive model to predict falls with high sensitivity and specificity is needed. Methods This study was a prospective study of 112 inpatients in a rehabilitation ward with follow-up interviews in patients’ homes. Evaluations were performed 1 month after stroke and included the following factors: (1) status of cognition, depression, fear of fall and limb spasticity; (2) functional assessments [walking velocity and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM)]; and (3) objective, computerized gait and balance analyses.…

Fear of falling and coexisting sensory difficulties as predictors of mobility decline in older women.

2012

BACKGROUND: Mobility decline, the coexistence of several sensory difficulties and fear of falling (FOF) are all common concerns in older people; however, knowledge about the combined effect of FOF and coexisting sensory difficulties on mobility is lacking. METHODS: Data on self-reported FOF, difficulties in hearing, vision, balance, and walking 2 km were gathered with a structured questionnaire among 434 women aged 63-76 years at baseline and after a 3-year follow-up. Logistic regression models were used for analyses. RESULTS: Every third participant reported difficulties in walking 2 km at baseline. In cross-sectional analysis, the odds ratio for difficulties in walking 2 km was higher amo…

Delirium Predisposing and Triggering Factors in Nursing Home Residents: A Cohort Trial-Nested Case-Control Study.

2019

Background Delirium is a common geriatric syndrome, with a prevalence of between 15-70% among older long-term care residents. It is associated with adverse outcomes, and its onset may prove imperceptible to health professionals. Few studies in institutionalized older people have analyzed the predictors of delirium. Objective The aim of the present study was to identify delirium predisposing and triggering factors, and develop a predictive model. Methods A cohort trial-nested case-control study covering a period of 12 consecutive months (April 2015 - March 2016) was carried out. Predisposing and triggering episodes of delirium were recorded. Results A total of 443 older persons were recruite…

Effects of supervised slackline training on postural instability, freezing of gait, and falls efficacy in people with Parkinson's disease.

2016

The aim of this study was to assess whether supervised slackline training reduces the risk of falls in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).Twenty-two patients with idiopathic PD were randomized into experimental (EG, N = 11) and control (CG, N = 11) groups. Center of Pressure (CoP), Freezing of Gait (FOG), and Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) were assessed at pre-test, post-test and re-test. Rate perceived exertion (RPE, Borg's 6-20 scale) and local muscle perceived exertion (LRPE) were also assessed at the end of the training sessions.The EG group showed significant improvements in FOG and FES scores from pre-test to post-test. Both decreased at re-test, though they did not return to pre-test l…

Outdoor and indoor falls as predictors of mobility limitation in older women

2009

Risk of falling and associated factors in older adults with a previous history of falls

2020

Falls in the elderly are one of the main geriatric syndromes and a clear indicator of fragility in the older adult population. This has serious consequences, leading to an increase in disability, institutionalization and death. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the prevalence of risk of falling and associated factors in a population of 213 non-institutionalised, able older adults with a history of falling in the previous year. We used the following assessment tools: Questionnaire of the WHO for the study of falls in the elderly, Geriatric Depression Scale and Tinetti’s Gait and Balance Assessment Tool. Age, using ambulatory assistive devices, polymedication, hospital …

Square-stepping exercise versus strength and balance training for fall risk factors

2008

Background and aims: Feasible and low-cost exercise programmes targeting fall risk factors may decrease the risk of falling in older adults. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of square-stepping exercise (SSE) training, which is a new and low-cost method designed to improve lower-extremity functional fitness, with strength and balance (SB) training. Methods: The study included 39 community-dwelling adults aged 65 to 74 years. The participants were randomized to either group SSE (n=20) or SB (n=19). They engaged in 70-min group exercise sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. The efficacy of the program was measured with both a 9-item test battery for assessment of physical per…

Glucose control in the older patient: from intensive, to effective and safe.

2009

Older adults represent an extensive proportion of Type 2 diabetic patients. Managing diabetes in this population is challenging, because complex comorbidity and disability often mean that guidelines are not suitable on an individual basis. Recent evidence has raised animated discussion of the possibility that intensive glucose control may cause more harm than benefit, especially in older adults. The benefit of glycemic control on microvascular diabetic complications has been consistently demonstrated, but the evidence of benefit on macrovascular disease is not uniform in all studies. Glycemic control appears to prevent the development of cardiovascular events, but is less helpful in seconda…

Older adults who have previously fallen due to a trip walk differently than those who have fallen due to a slip

2014

Studying the relationships between centre of mass (COM) and centre of pressure (COP) during walking has been shown to be useful in determining movement stability. The aim of the current study was to compare COM-COP separation measures during walking between groups of older adults with no history of falling, and a history of falling due to tripping or slipping. Any differences between individuals who have fallen due to a slip and those who have fallen due to a trip in measures of dynamic balance could potentially indicate differences in the mechanisms responsible for falls. Forty older adults were allocated into groups based on their self-reported fall history during walking. The non-faller …