Shawn Leng-Hsien Soh1, Chee-Wee Tan2, Judith Lane3, Ting-Ting Yeh4, Benjamin Soon4. 1. Singapore Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Road, Singapore, 138683, Singapore. shawn.soh@singaporetech.edu.sg. 2. Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Rd, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK. 3. Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Way, Musselburgh, EH21 6UU, UK. 4. Singapore Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Road, Singapore, 138683, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A near-fall is defined as a loss of balance that would result in a fall if sufficient balance recovery manoeuvres are not executed. Compared to falls, near-falls and its associated balance recovery manoeuvres have been understudied. Older adults may not recognise a near-fall or identify the use of their balance recovery manoeuvres to prevent a fall. The consensus on the methods to collect near-fall data is lacking. The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of recruitment and retention. Secondary objectives were to establish evidence that Singapore community-dwelling older adults can identify near-falls and associated balance recovery manoeuvres. Texting and calling methods were explored as reporting methods. METHODS: This study took place in Singapore (September to October 2019). Participants were healthy, community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older. Recruitment was done through poster advertisement, and all participants gave informed consent. Participants attended a briefing session and reported their near-fall or fall incidence over 21 days using either daily texting or calling. The primary outcome measures were the recruitment rate, retention rate, preferred modes for data reporting and ability to report near-falls or falls. Secondary outcomes included the self-reported incidence of falls and near-falls. RESULTS: Thirty older adults were recruited in 5 weeks. All participants completed the study. They understood near-fall concepts and were able to report the occurrence and relevant balance recovery manoeuvres used to prevent a fall. 87% (26/30) chose to text while 13% (4/30) selected calling as their reporting method. One actual fall (0.16%) out of 630 responses was reported. Thirty-six incidents (5.7%) of near-falls were recorded. Sixteen participants (53.3%) experienced near-falls and half of this group experienced two or more near-falls. The use of reach-to-grasp strategy (36%), compensatory stepping (52.8%), and other body regions (11.2%) were used to prevent the fall. CONCLUSIONS: The study provided evidence that studying near-falls in Singapore community-dwelling older adults is feasible and can be applied to a large-scale study. Recruitment and retention rates were good. Older adults were able to identify near-falls and balance recovery manoeuvres. Both texting and calling were feasible reporting methods, but texting was preferred. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials identifier: NCT04087551 . Registered on September 12, 2019.
BACKGROUND: A near-fall is defined as a loss of balance that would result in a fall if sufficient balance recovery manoeuvres are not executed. Compared to falls, near-falls and its associated balance recovery manoeuvres have been understudied. Older adults may not recognise a near-fall or identify the use of their balance recovery manoeuvres to prevent a fall. The consensus on the methods to collect near-fall data is lacking. The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of recruitment and retention. Secondary objectives were to establish evidence that Singapore community-dwelling older adults can identify near-falls and associated balance recovery manoeuvres. Texting and calling methods were explored as reporting methods. METHODS: This study took place in Singapore (September to October 2019). Participants were healthy, community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older. Recruitment was done through poster advertisement, and all participants gave informed consent. Participants attended a briefing session and reported their near-fall or fall incidence over 21 days using either daily texting or calling. The primary outcome measures were the recruitment rate, retention rate, preferred modes for data reporting and ability to report near-falls or falls. Secondary outcomes included the self-reported incidence of falls and near-falls. RESULTS: Thirty older adults were recruited in 5 weeks. All participants completed the study. They understood near-fall concepts and were able to report the occurrence and relevant balance recovery manoeuvres used to prevent a fall. 87% (26/30) chose to text while 13% (4/30) selected calling as their reporting method. One actual fall (0.16%) out of 630 responses was reported. Thirty-six incidents (5.7%) of near-falls were recorded. Sixteen participants (53.3%) experienced near-falls and half of this group experienced two or more near-falls. The use of reach-to-grasp strategy (36%), compensatory stepping (52.8%), and other body regions (11.2%) were used to prevent the fall. CONCLUSIONS: The study provided evidence that studying near-falls in Singapore community-dwelling older adults is feasible and can be applied to a large-scale study. Recruitment and retention rates were good. Older adults were able to identify near-falls and balance recovery manoeuvres. Both texting and calling were feasible reporting methods, but texting was preferred. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials identifier: NCT04087551 . Registered on September 12, 2019.
Authors: Anh Dinh; Yang Shi; Daniel Teng; Amitoz Ralhan; Li Chen; Vanina Dal Bello-Haas; Jenny Basran; Seok-Bum Ko; Carl McCrowsky Journal: Open Biomed Eng J Date: 2009-01-21
Authors: Spencer L James; Lydia R Lucchesi; Catherine Bisignano; Chris D Castle; Zachary V Dingels; Jack T Fox; Erin B Hamilton; Nathaniel J Henry; Kris J Krohn; Zichen Liu; Darrah McCracken; Molly R Nixon; Nicholas L S Roberts; Dillon O Sylte; Jose C Adsuar; Amit Arora; Andrew M Briggs; Daniel Collado-Mateo; Cyrus Cooper; Lalit Dandona; Rakhi Dandona; Christian Lycke Ellingsen; Seyed-Mohammad Fereshtehnejad; Tiffany K Gill; Juanita A Haagsma; Delia Hendrie; Mikk Jürisson; G Anil Kumar; Alan D Lopez; Tomasz Miazgowski; Ted R Miller; G K Mini; Erkin M Mirrakhimov; Efat Mohamadi; Pedro R Olivares; Fakher Rahim; Lidia Sanchez Riera; Santos Villafaina; Yuichiro Yano; Simon I Hay; Stephen S Lim; Ali H Mokdad; Mohsen Naghavi; Christopher J L Murray Journal: Inj Prev Date: 2020-01-15 Impact factor: 2.399