Abstract
Adults over the age of 70 are at risk of falls. Early detection of risk of falls can suggest early interventions. In this study, we attempted to determine valid clinical tests that can differentiate older individuals who are at risk of falling. Older adults from an independent-living community volunteered to participate in this descriptive, cohort study. They were administered the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Zur Balance Scale (ZBS), Head Shaking Nystagmus Head Impulse Test, Dynamic Visual Acuity, and the Hallpike maneuver for evaluating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV); a questionnaire including sociodemographics and a health characteristics survey. Multivariate analysis indicated that a ZBS score < 51, previous fall, and number of medications strongly predict falls in older adults. ZBS score, BBS score, Hallpike maneuver, number of medications, deficit of vestibular ocular reflex, along with positive ZBS score and past fall differentiate between fallers and non-fallers. ZBS <51, taking >6 medications, and history of falls were a benchmark for high-risk of falling.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the staff Beit Ildan, especially Masi Oren and Bruria Geraff. Our thanks also go to Faye Schreiber for editing the manuscript and providing helpful comments, Ms. Dana Hadar for statistical analysis, and Yak ir Ariam for help with ZBS testing.
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The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare in relation to this article.
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Zur, O., Berner, Y., Ohel, Y., Carmeli, E. (2017). Two-Year Follow-Up of Fall Prediction Among Older Adults in an Independent-Living Community. In: Pokorski, M. (eds) Clinical Research Involving Pulmonary Disorders. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 1040. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2017_100
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2017_100
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