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- Title
Neuropsychological, Physical, and Functional Mobility Measures Associated With Falls in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults.
- Authors
Taylor, Morag E.; Delbaere, Kim; Lord, Stephen R.; Mikolaizak, A. Stefanie; Brodaty, Henry; Close, Jacqueline C. T.
- Abstract
Background. Older people with cognitive impairment have an elevated fall risk, with 60% falling annually. There is a lack of evidence for fall prevention in this population, in part due to limited understanding of risk factors. This study examined fall risk in older people with cognitive impairment with an emphasis on identifying explanatory and modifiable risk factors. Methods. One hundred and seventy-seven community-dwelling older people with mild–moderate cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination 11–23/Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination–Revised <83) underwent neuropsychological, physical, and functional assessments. Falls were recorded prospectively for 12 months with the assistance of carers. Results. Of the 174 participants available to follow-up, 111 (64%) fell at least once and 71 (41%) at least twice. Higher fall rates were associated with slower reaction time, impaired balance (sway on floor and foam, semitandem, near-tandem, tandem stance), and reduced functional mobility (co-ordinated stability, timed up-and-go, steps needed to turn 180°, sit-to-stand, gait velocity). Higher fall rates were also associated with increased medication use (central nervous system, total number) and poorer performances in cognitive (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination–Revised: visuospatial domain, cube drawing; Trail-Making Test) and psychological (Geriatric Depression Scale, Goldberg Anxiety Scale, Falls Efficacy Scale–International) tests. Multivariate analysis identified increased sway on foam, co-ordinated stability score, and depressive symptoms to be significantly and independently associated with falls while controlling for age, years of education, and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination–Revised score. Conclusions. This study identified several risk factors of falls in older people with cognitive impairment, a number of which are potentially modifiable. Future research involving targeted interventions addressing medication use, balance, mood, and functional performance may prove useful for fall prevention in this population.
- Subjects
GERIATRIC assessment; ACCIDENTAL falls in old age; RISK factors of accidental falls in old age; FUNCTIONAL assessment; COGNITION disorders in old age; GERIATRIC psychiatry; MIND &; body
- Publication
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 2014, Vol 69, Issue 8, p987
- ISSN
1079-5006
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/gerona/glt166