BACKGROUND: Falls are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in older and represents one of the major and most costly public health problems worldwide. PURPOSE: Evaluate the influences of lower limb muscle performance, static balance, functional independence and quality of life on fall risk as assessed with the timed up and go (TUG) test. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Fifty-two residents aged 80 or older were assessed and distributed in one of the two study groups (no risk of falls; risk of falls) according to the time to complete the TUG test. A Kistler force platform and linear transducer was used to determinate lower limb muscle performance. Postural Stability (static balance) was measured by recording the center of pressure. The EuroQol-5 dimension was used to assess Health-related quality of life and the Barthel index was used to examine functional status. Student's t-test was performed to evaluate the differences between groups. Correlations between variables were analyzed using Spearman or Pearson coefficient. ROC (receiver operating charasteristic) analysis was used to determine the cut-off points related to a decrease in the risk of a fall. FINDINGS: Participants of no-fall risk group showed better lower limb performance, quality of life, and functional status. Cut-off points were determined for each outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of falls in nursing home residents over the age of 80 is associated with lower limb muscle performance, functional status, and quality of Life. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cut-off points can be used by clinicians when working toward fall prevention and could help in determining the optimal lower limb muscle performance level for preventing falls.
BACKGROUND: Falls are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in older and represents one of the major and most costly public health problems worldwide. PURPOSE: Evaluate the influences of lower limb muscle performance, static balance, functional independence and quality of life on fall risk as assessed with the timed up and go (TUG) test. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Fifty-two residents aged 80 or older were assessed and distributed in one of the two study groups (no risk of falls; risk of falls) according to the time to complete the TUG test. A Kistler force platform and linear transducer was used to determinate lower limb muscle performance. Postural Stability (static balance) was measured by recording the center of pressure. The EuroQol-5 dimension was used to assess Health-related quality of life and the Barthel index was used to examine functional status. Student's t-test was performed to evaluate the differences between groups. Correlations between variables were analyzed using Spearman or Pearson coefficient. ROC (receiver operating charasteristic) analysis was used to determine the cut-off points related to a decrease in the risk of a fall. FINDINGS:Participants of no-fall risk group showed better lower limb performance, quality of life, and functional status. Cut-off points were determined for each outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of falls in nursing home residents over the age of 80 is associated with lower limb muscle performance, functional status, and quality of Life. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cut-off points can be used by clinicians when working toward fall prevention and could help in determining the optimal lower limb muscle performance level for preventing falls.
Authors: Luis Galhardas; Armando Raimundo; Jesús Del Pozo-Cruz; José Marmeleira Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-21 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Laura L Bischoff; Thomas Cordes; Charlotte Meixner; Daniel Schoene; Claudia Voelcker-Rehage; Bettina Wollesen Journal: Aging Clin Exp Res Date: 2020-06-14 Impact factor: 3.636