Aged 65 Years or Older, Community Dwelling Older Adults, Falls (Accidents) in Old Age, Falls Risk
Conditions
Brief summary
Falls in older adults have an annual incidence between 23 and 34% for persons of 65 years and older. The lack of transfer of promising research results on falls prevention to daily practice may have several explanations. One of the first concerns for that matter may be a valid and sensitive selection of the persons at risk who are eligible for fall prevention interventions Goals of the prospective obeservational study: 1. To validate a new, comprehensive, multifactorial screeningsintrument to predict the risk on falls in community dwelling, Belgian, older adults (\>65years or older). 2. To optimize the new, comprehensive, multifactorial screeningsintrument and to specify correct cut off scores Researchers will compare the data of the accuracy of new algorithm with the current Belgian policy. Participants will participate in a one-time testing moment, where they will be asked some questions about general characteristics and medical history, followed by two questionnaire and seven physical tests . Based on this data, their fall risk will be assessed. In the year that follows, the older person's fall behavior will be monitored with a monthly falls calender. Participant will be asked to fill out these calenders everyday ('Did you fall today?' YES/NO) and send them at the end of each month to the researchers, digitally or postal.
Detailed description
Two questionnaires: 1. Geriatric Depression Scale - 16 2. Falls Efficacy Scale - International Seven physical tests: 1. Timed Up and Go 2. Times Up and Go with cognitive dual task (100 (repeatedly) minus 3) 3. Single Limb Stance 4. 5x Sit to Stand 5. 4meter Gait Speed 6. Tinetti 7. Four Balance Test
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTMultifactorial algorithm to predict fall risk
In this new multifactorial algorithm we will add baseline data (personal characteristics, medical history, and physical and psychological measurements) to predict an older adults risk on falls. The accuracy of this new model will be tested with a 1-year follow up on falls. The new algorithm is inspired by the study of Lusardi et al. (2017): Lusardi MM, Fritz S, Middleton A, Allison L, Wingood M, Phillips E, Criss M, Verma S, Osborne J, Chui KK. Determining Risk of Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Using Posttest Probability. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2017 Jan/Mar;40(1):1-36. doi: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000099. PMID: 27537070; PMCID: PMC5158094.
Sponsors
University Ghent
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 65years or older * community dwellers * absence of surgery or exacerbation of symptoms in the last 6 months * ability to stand and walk independently (alone), possibly with an walking aid.
Exclusion criteria
* \<65 years of age * surgery within the previous 6 months affecting gait and mobility * exacerbation of symptoms coming from a diagnosed disease * older adults with insufficient (language) comprehension to complete the tests and questionnaires
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted analysis of integraded tests | Baseline | Fall risk calculated with the new multifactorial algorithm based on: * general, personal characteristics * medical history * physical measurements * self reported questionnaires |
| Number of falls among Belgian, community dwelling older adults | 1 year | The number of falls measured with a monthly falls calender |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional mobility | Baseline | Measured with the Timed Up and Go (seconds) |
| Executive cognitive capacity | Baseline | Measured with the Timed Up and Go in combination with a cognitive dual task (100-3-3-3-...) (seconds) |
| Static Balance | Baseline | Measured with the Single Leg stance (seconds) |
| Depression | Baseline | Measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-16) |
| Gait speed | Baseline | Measured with the 4m Gait Speed (m/s) |
| Static and dynamic balance | Baseline | Measured with the Tinetti: Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment |
| Strength of the lower limbs | Baseline | Measured with the 5x Sit to Stand (second) |
| Fear of falling | Baseline | Measured with the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I) |
Countries
Belgium
Contacts
Primary ContactEllis Rommers, PhD
Outcome results
None listed