Morag Taylor | The University of New South Wales (original) (raw)

Papers by Morag Taylor

International Psychogeriatrics

Objectives: We examined longitudinal changes in cognitive and physical function and associations ... more Objectives: We examined longitudinal changes in cognitive and physical function and associations between change in function and falls in people with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design: Prospective cohort study with assessments every 2 years (for up to 6 years). Setting: Community, Sydney, Australia. Participants: Four hundred and eighty one people were classified into three groups: those with MCI at baseline and MCI or dementia at follow-up assessments (n = 92); those who fluctuated between cognitively normal and MCI throughout follow-up (cognitively fluctuating) (n = 157), and those who were cognitively normal at baseline and all reassessments (n = 232). Measurements: Cognitive and physical function measured over 2–6 years follow-up. Falls in the year following participants’ final assessment. Results: In summary, 27.4%, 38.5%, and 34.1% of participants completed 2, 4, and 6 years follow-up of cognitive and physical performance, respectively. The MCI and cognitive f...

self-reported chronic pain is associated with physical performance in older people leaving aged c... more self-reported chronic pain is associated with physical performance in older people leaving aged care rehabilitation leani souza Máximo Pereira1,2 Catherine sherrington2,3

Age and Ageing, 2019

Aims Investigate the relationship between global cognition and cognitive domain function and bala... more Aims Investigate the relationship between global cognition and cognitive domain function and balance performance in a large sample of older people with cognitive impairment. Methods Three hundred and nine community-dwelling older people (mean age=82 years; 47% female) with cognitive impairment were recruited for the iFOCIS fall prevention randomised controlled trial. Baseline assessments completed before randomisation were used for analyses and included the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III; global cognitive function) and its individual cognitive domains (attention; memory; verbal fluency; language; visuospatial ability) and executive function, further examined using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Balance performance was derived by averaging postural sway on floor and foam, maximal balance range (reverse z-score) and co-ordinated stability z-scores. With balance performance as the dependent variable, global cognition and each cognitive domain were entered into ...

Age and Ageing, 2019

Gait has been linked with cognition in cognitively healthy and impaired older people. However, th... more Gait has been linked with cognition in cognitively healthy and impaired older people. However, the studies in cognitively impaired people have been small, have not contrasted the strength of cognitive domain associations and have reported inconsistent findings. We examined baseline data of 309 older people with mild-moderate cognitive impairment (age 82±6 years; 47% female) who were participating in a large fall prevention randomised controlled trial. Gait speed was measured at usual pace over 2.4m and cognitive performance was assessed with the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III). The ACE-III assesses cognitive domain performance (attention; memory; verbal fluency; language; visuospatial ability). Executive function (EF) was additionally examined using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Each cognitive domain was associated with gait speed in separate models adjusted for confounders. EF (verbal fluency and the FAB) demonstrated the strongest association which withst...

Age and Ageing, 2019

Introduction The Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) is a validated composite measure of senso... more Introduction The Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) is a validated composite measure of sensorimotor function, known to predict falls with 75% accuracy. This work aimed to investigate whether PPA is also associated with fragility fractures. Method Participants were 489 community-dwelling older people (age=70-90) enrolled in the longitudinal population-based Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. Participants underwent comprehensive assessments at enrolment, including the 5-item PPA (visual contrast sensitivity, lower limb proprioception, knee extension strength, simple reaction time and postural sway). Participant records were linked to emergency department, hospital and death records (2005-2014) to identify fragility fractures following baseline assessment, with median follow-up duration of 7.5 years. Negative binomial regression, with observation time as the offset, was used to assess factors associated with fractures. Results At baseline assessment, 281 (57.5%) participants were ass...

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2010

To develop and internally validate a simple falls prediction tool for rehabilitation settings. De... more To develop and internally validate a simple falls prediction tool for rehabilitation settings. Design: Prospective cohort study. Participants: A total of 533 inpatients. Methods: Possible predictors of falls were collected from medical records, interview and physical assessment. Falls during inpatient stays were monitored. Results: Fourteen percent of participants fell. A multivariate model to predict falls included: male gender (odds ratio (OR) 2.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-4.64), central nervous system medications (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.47-4.25), a fall in the previous 12 months (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.07-4.56), frequent toileting (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.27-3.62) and tandem stance inability (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.11-3.59). The area under the curve for this model was 0.74 (95% CI 0.68-0.80). The Predict_FIRST tool is a unit weighted adaptation of this model (i.e. 1 point allocated for each predictor) and its area under the curve was 0.73 (95% CI 0.68-0.79). Predicted and actual falls risks corresponded closely. Conclusion: This tool provides a simple way to quantify the probability with which an individual patient will fall during a rehabilitation stay.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2011

To develop and internally validate a falls prediction tool for people being discharged from inpat... more To develop and internally validate a falls prediction tool for people being discharged from inpatient aged care rehabilitation. Prospective cohort study. Possible predictors of falls were collected for 442 aged care rehabilitation inpatients at two hospitals. One hundred fifty participants fell in the 3 months after discharge from rehabilitation (34% of 438 with follow-up data). Predictors of falls were male gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.00-4.03), central nervous system medication prescription (OR 2.04, 95% CI=1.00-3.30), and increased postural sway (OR 1.93, 95% CI=1.00-3.26). This three-variable model was adapted for clinical use by unit weighting (i.e., a score of 1 for each predictor present). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for this tool was 0.69 (95% CI=0.64-0.74, bootstrap-corrected AUC=0.69). There was no evidence of lack of fit between prediction and observation (Hosmer-Lemeshow P=0.158). After external validation, this simple tool could be used to quantify the probability with which an individual will fall in the 3 months after an aged care rehabilitation stay. It may assist in the discharge process by identifying high-risk individuals who may benefit from ongoing assistance or intervention.

Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2014

Background/objectives: The impact of pain on the physical performance of patients in aged care re... more Background/objectives: The impact of pain on the physical performance of patients in aged care rehabilitation is not known. The study sought to assess 1) the prevalence of pain in older people being discharged from inpatient rehabilitation; 2) the association between self-reported pain and physical performance in people being discharged from inpatient rehabilitation; and 3) the association between self-reported pain and physical performance in this population, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study of 420 older people at two inpatient aged care rehabilitation units. Physical performance was assessed using the Lower Limb Summary Performance Score. Pain was assessed with questions about the extent to which participants were troubled by pain, the duration of symptoms, and the impact of chronic pain on everyday activity. Depression and the number of comorbidities were assessed by questionnaire and medical file audit. Cognition was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination. Results: Thirty percent of participants reported chronic pain (pain lasting more than 3 months), and 17% reported that this pain interfered with daily activities to a moderate or greater extent. Chronic pain (P=0.013) and chronic pain affecting daily activities (P,0.001) were associated with a poorer Lower Limb Summary Performance Score. The relationship between chronic pain affecting daily activities and Lower Limb Summary Performance Score remained significant (P=0.001) after adjusting for depression, age, comorbidities, and Mini-Mental State Examination score. This model explained 10% of the variability in physical performance. Conclusion: One-third of participants reported chronic pain, and close to one-fifth reported that this pain interfered with daily activities. Chronic pain was associated with impaired physical performance, and this relationship persisted after adjusting for likely confounding factors.

Age and Ageing

Background falls and fall-related injuries are common in older adults, have negative effects on f... more Background falls and fall-related injuries are common in older adults, have negative effects on functional independence and quality of life and are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and health related costs. Current guidelines are inconsistent, with no up-to-date, globally applicable ones present. Objectives to create a set of evidence- and expert consensus-based falls prevention and management recommendations applicable to older adults for use by healthcare and other professionals that consider: (i) a person-centred approach that includes the perspectives of older adults with lived experience, caregivers and other stakeholders; (ii) gaps in previous guidelines; (iii) recent developments in e-health and (iv) implementation across locations with limited access to resources such as low- and middle-income countries. Methods a steering committee and a worldwide multidisciplinary group of experts and stakeholders, including older adults, were assembled. Geriatrics and geront...

International Psychogeriatrics, 2013

Cognitively impaired older people fall twice as often as their cognitively intact counterparts. T... more Cognitively impaired older people fall twice as often as their cognitively intact counterparts. There is, however, limited information on factors that increase the risk of falls in this population. This study aimed to determine whether a group of cognitively impaired older people (CIG) perform worse than a matched group of cognitively intact older people (NCIG) on a profile of physical performance and mobility tests. One hundred and thirty-eight cognitively impaired and 276 age and gender matched cognitively intact community-dwelling older adults (>60 years) took part in the study. Participants completed a detailed physical performance battery from which composite fall risk scores were derived. Falls were measured prospectively for 12 months with monthly falls diaries, telephone calls, and by regularly contacting participants' "person responsible." The CIG performed worse than the NCIG in tests of reaction time, muscle strength (grip and quadriceps), balance (sway on floor, sway on foam, controlled leaning balance and near tandem standing ability), and mobility (sit to stand, timed up and go (TUG) and steps required to turn 180 degrees). The CIG had significantly higher composite fall risk scores than the NCIG and fell significantly more during follow-up (Multiple falls (2+): CIG 43%; NCIG 21%). Fall risk in the CIG was significantly increased due to multiple physical impairments. Physical profiles provide a means of quantifying the extent of impairment in older people with cognitive impairment and potential direction for targeting interventions for reducing fall risk.

The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2013

Older people with cognitive impairment have an elevated fall risk, with 60% falling annually. The... more 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.

Age and Ageing, 2012

Objectives: to explore the associations between spatiotemporal gait parameters and falls in cogni... more Objectives: to explore the associations between spatiotemporal gait parameters and falls in cognitively impaired older people and to investigate whether sensorimotor and neuropsychological factors mediate the association between gait performance and falls. Design: prospective cohort study with a 1 year follow-up. Setting: community-dwelling sample. Participants: sixty-four participants (62-96 years of age) with cognitive impairment. Measurements: gait analysis and sensorimotor and neuropsychological functions were assessed in all participants. Falls were identified prospectively for 1 year. Results: multiple fallers (≥2 falls) had significantly slower gait velocity, shorter stride length, greater double support time and increased step length variability in univariate analyses. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the relationship between gait and falls was mediated primarily by sensorimotor function and to a lesser extent by neuropsychological performance. Conclusion: the findings indicate that slow and variable gait patterns increase the risk of falls in cognitively impaired older adults. Further, the association between gait and falls seems to be mediated in large by reduced sensorimotor functioning. Further research is needed to investigate whether interventions aimed at improving gait and/or sensorimotor fall risk factors, such as strength and balance, can prevent falls in cognitively impaired older adults.

The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2013

Background. This study evaluated psychometric properties of the Iconographical Falls Efficacy Sca... more Background. This study evaluated psychometric properties of the Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale (Icon-FES) to measure fear of falling in cognitively impaired older people. Icon-FES uses pictures as visual cues to prompt responses.

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2017

To explore the relationship between cognitive performance and falls in older people with mild to ... more To explore the relationship between cognitive performance and falls in older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment (CI) by investigating the mediational effects of medical, medication, neuropsychological, and physiological factors. Secondary analysis, prospective cohort study. Community and low-level care. 177 older people (aged 82 ± 7 years) with mild to moderate CI (MMSE 11-23; ACE-R < 83). Global cognition and six neuropsychological domains (memory, language, visuospatial, processing speed, executive function [EF], and affect) were assessed. Participants also underwent sensorimotor and balance assessments. Falls were recorded prospectively for 12 months. The EF domain was most strongly associated with multiple falls (relative risk [RR]: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.18-1.91). Global cognition was not associated with falls (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.92-1.30). Additional analyses showed that participants with poorer EF (median cutpoint) were more likely to be taking centrally acting medications and were less physically active. They also had significantly worse vision, reaction time, knee extension strength, balance (postural sway, controlled leaning balance), and higher physiological fall risk scores. Participants with poorer EF were 1.5 times (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.03-2.18) more likely to have multiple falls. Mediational analyses demonstrated that reaction time and postural sway reduced the relative risk of EF on multiple falls by 31% (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.81-1.74). Within this sample of older people with mild to moderate CI, poorer EF increased the risk of multiple falls. This relationship was mediated by reaction time and postural sway,suggesting cognitively impaired older people with poorer EF may benefit from fall prevention programs targeting these mediating factors.

International psychogeriatrics, Jan 3, 2016

Older people with dementia are at increased risk of physical decline and falls. Balance and mood ... more Older people with dementia are at increased risk of physical decline and falls. Balance and mood are significant predictors of falls in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a tailored home-based exercise program in community-dwelling older people with dementia. Forty-two participants with mild to moderate dementia were recruited from routine health services. All participants were offered a six-month home-based, carer-enhanced, progressive, and individually tailored exercise program. Physical activity, quality of life, physical, and psychological assessments were administered at the beginning and end of the trial. Of 33 participants (78.6%) who completed the six-month reassessment ten (30%) reported falls and six (18%) multiple falls during the follow-up period. At reassessment, participants had better balance (sway on floor and foam), reduced concern about falls, increased planned physical activity, but worse knee extension strength and no change in ...

Journal of physiotherapy, 2010

What is the prevalence of mobility-related disability 3 months after discharge from inpatient age... more What is the prevalence of mobility-related disability 3 months after discharge from inpatient aged care rehabilitation? Can a clinical tool predict which individuals will experience mobility-related disability 3 months after discharge? Prospective cohort study. 442 patients newly admitted to two large inpatient rehabilitation units. Predictors were co-morbidities; pre-admission mobility; and discharge cognition, pain, vision, muscle strength, and mobility. The outcome of interest was inability to climb a flight of stairs and walk 800 m without assistance. 157 participants (36%) were unable to climb a flight of stairs and walk 800 m without assistance prior to hospital admission. Three months after discharge, 254 participants (59%) were unable to complete both tasks. A simple clinical prediction tool based on pre-admission ability to complete the two tasks, co-morbidity on admission, and pre-discharge measurement of: leaning while standing (Maximal Balance Range test), low-contrast v...

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2010

To develop and internally validate a simple falls prediction tool for rehabilitation settings. Pr... more To develop and internally validate a simple falls prediction tool for rehabilitation settings. Prospective cohort study. A total of 533 inpatients. Possible predictors of falls were collected from medical records, interview and physical assessment. Falls during inpatient stays were monitored. Fourteen percent of participants fell. A multivariate model to predict falls included: male gender (odds ratio (OR) 2.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-4.64), central nervous system medications (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.47-4.25), a fall in the previous 12 months (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.07-4.56), frequent toileting (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.27-3.62) and tandem stance inability (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.11-3.59). The area under the curve for this model was 0.74 (95% CI 0.68-0.80). The Predict_FIRST tool is a unit weighted adaptation of this model (i.e. 1 point allocated for each predictor) and its area under the curve was 0.73 (95% CI 0.68-0.79). Predicted and actual falls risks corresponded closely. This tool provides a simple way to quantify the probability with which an individual patient will fall during a rehabilitation stay.

The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2013

Older people with cognitive impairment have an elevated fall risk, with 60% falling annually. The... more 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.

International Psychogeriatrics

Objectives: We examined longitudinal changes in cognitive and physical function and associations ... more Objectives: We examined longitudinal changes in cognitive and physical function and associations between change in function and falls in people with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design: Prospective cohort study with assessments every 2 years (for up to 6 years). Setting: Community, Sydney, Australia. Participants: Four hundred and eighty one people were classified into three groups: those with MCI at baseline and MCI or dementia at follow-up assessments (n = 92); those who fluctuated between cognitively normal and MCI throughout follow-up (cognitively fluctuating) (n = 157), and those who were cognitively normal at baseline and all reassessments (n = 232). Measurements: Cognitive and physical function measured over 2–6 years follow-up. Falls in the year following participants’ final assessment. Results: In summary, 27.4%, 38.5%, and 34.1% of participants completed 2, 4, and 6 years follow-up of cognitive and physical performance, respectively. The MCI and cognitive f...

self-reported chronic pain is associated with physical performance in older people leaving aged c... more self-reported chronic pain is associated with physical performance in older people leaving aged care rehabilitation leani souza Máximo Pereira1,2 Catherine sherrington2,3

Age and Ageing, 2019

Aims Investigate the relationship between global cognition and cognitive domain function and bala... more Aims Investigate the relationship between global cognition and cognitive domain function and balance performance in a large sample of older people with cognitive impairment. Methods Three hundred and nine community-dwelling older people (mean age=82 years; 47% female) with cognitive impairment were recruited for the iFOCIS fall prevention randomised controlled trial. Baseline assessments completed before randomisation were used for analyses and included the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III; global cognitive function) and its individual cognitive domains (attention; memory; verbal fluency; language; visuospatial ability) and executive function, further examined using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Balance performance was derived by averaging postural sway on floor and foam, maximal balance range (reverse z-score) and co-ordinated stability z-scores. With balance performance as the dependent variable, global cognition and each cognitive domain were entered into ...

Age and Ageing, 2019

Gait has been linked with cognition in cognitively healthy and impaired older people. However, th... more Gait has been linked with cognition in cognitively healthy and impaired older people. However, the studies in cognitively impaired people have been small, have not contrasted the strength of cognitive domain associations and have reported inconsistent findings. We examined baseline data of 309 older people with mild-moderate cognitive impairment (age 82±6 years; 47% female) who were participating in a large fall prevention randomised controlled trial. Gait speed was measured at usual pace over 2.4m and cognitive performance was assessed with the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III). The ACE-III assesses cognitive domain performance (attention; memory; verbal fluency; language; visuospatial ability). Executive function (EF) was additionally examined using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Each cognitive domain was associated with gait speed in separate models adjusted for confounders. EF (verbal fluency and the FAB) demonstrated the strongest association which withst...

Age and Ageing, 2019

Introduction The Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) is a validated composite measure of senso... more Introduction The Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) is a validated composite measure of sensorimotor function, known to predict falls with 75% accuracy. This work aimed to investigate whether PPA is also associated with fragility fractures. Method Participants were 489 community-dwelling older people (age=70-90) enrolled in the longitudinal population-based Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. Participants underwent comprehensive assessments at enrolment, including the 5-item PPA (visual contrast sensitivity, lower limb proprioception, knee extension strength, simple reaction time and postural sway). Participant records were linked to emergency department, hospital and death records (2005-2014) to identify fragility fractures following baseline assessment, with median follow-up duration of 7.5 years. Negative binomial regression, with observation time as the offset, was used to assess factors associated with fractures. Results At baseline assessment, 281 (57.5%) participants were ass...

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2010

To develop and internally validate a simple falls prediction tool for rehabilitation settings. De... more To develop and internally validate a simple falls prediction tool for rehabilitation settings. Design: Prospective cohort study. Participants: A total of 533 inpatients. Methods: Possible predictors of falls were collected from medical records, interview and physical assessment. Falls during inpatient stays were monitored. Results: Fourteen percent of participants fell. A multivariate model to predict falls included: male gender (odds ratio (OR) 2.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-4.64), central nervous system medications (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.47-4.25), a fall in the previous 12 months (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.07-4.56), frequent toileting (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.27-3.62) and tandem stance inability (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.11-3.59). The area under the curve for this model was 0.74 (95% CI 0.68-0.80). The Predict_FIRST tool is a unit weighted adaptation of this model (i.e. 1 point allocated for each predictor) and its area under the curve was 0.73 (95% CI 0.68-0.79). Predicted and actual falls risks corresponded closely. Conclusion: This tool provides a simple way to quantify the probability with which an individual patient will fall during a rehabilitation stay.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2011

To develop and internally validate a falls prediction tool for people being discharged from inpat... more To develop and internally validate a falls prediction tool for people being discharged from inpatient aged care rehabilitation. Prospective cohort study. Possible predictors of falls were collected for 442 aged care rehabilitation inpatients at two hospitals. One hundred fifty participants fell in the 3 months after discharge from rehabilitation (34% of 438 with follow-up data). Predictors of falls were male gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.00-4.03), central nervous system medication prescription (OR 2.04, 95% CI=1.00-3.30), and increased postural sway (OR 1.93, 95% CI=1.00-3.26). This three-variable model was adapted for clinical use by unit weighting (i.e., a score of 1 for each predictor present). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for this tool was 0.69 (95% CI=0.64-0.74, bootstrap-corrected AUC=0.69). There was no evidence of lack of fit between prediction and observation (Hosmer-Lemeshow P=0.158). After external validation, this simple tool could be used to quantify the probability with which an individual will fall in the 3 months after an aged care rehabilitation stay. It may assist in the discharge process by identifying high-risk individuals who may benefit from ongoing assistance or intervention.

Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2014

Background/objectives: The impact of pain on the physical performance of patients in aged care re... more Background/objectives: The impact of pain on the physical performance of patients in aged care rehabilitation is not known. The study sought to assess 1) the prevalence of pain in older people being discharged from inpatient rehabilitation; 2) the association between self-reported pain and physical performance in people being discharged from inpatient rehabilitation; and 3) the association between self-reported pain and physical performance in this population, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study of 420 older people at two inpatient aged care rehabilitation units. Physical performance was assessed using the Lower Limb Summary Performance Score. Pain was assessed with questions about the extent to which participants were troubled by pain, the duration of symptoms, and the impact of chronic pain on everyday activity. Depression and the number of comorbidities were assessed by questionnaire and medical file audit. Cognition was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination. Results: Thirty percent of participants reported chronic pain (pain lasting more than 3 months), and 17% reported that this pain interfered with daily activities to a moderate or greater extent. Chronic pain (P=0.013) and chronic pain affecting daily activities (P,0.001) were associated with a poorer Lower Limb Summary Performance Score. The relationship between chronic pain affecting daily activities and Lower Limb Summary Performance Score remained significant (P=0.001) after adjusting for depression, age, comorbidities, and Mini-Mental State Examination score. This model explained 10% of the variability in physical performance. Conclusion: One-third of participants reported chronic pain, and close to one-fifth reported that this pain interfered with daily activities. Chronic pain was associated with impaired physical performance, and this relationship persisted after adjusting for likely confounding factors.

Age and Ageing

Background falls and fall-related injuries are common in older adults, have negative effects on f... more Background falls and fall-related injuries are common in older adults, have negative effects on functional independence and quality of life and are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and health related costs. Current guidelines are inconsistent, with no up-to-date, globally applicable ones present. Objectives to create a set of evidence- and expert consensus-based falls prevention and management recommendations applicable to older adults for use by healthcare and other professionals that consider: (i) a person-centred approach that includes the perspectives of older adults with lived experience, caregivers and other stakeholders; (ii) gaps in previous guidelines; (iii) recent developments in e-health and (iv) implementation across locations with limited access to resources such as low- and middle-income countries. Methods a steering committee and a worldwide multidisciplinary group of experts and stakeholders, including older adults, were assembled. Geriatrics and geront...

International Psychogeriatrics, 2013

Cognitively impaired older people fall twice as often as their cognitively intact counterparts. T... more Cognitively impaired older people fall twice as often as their cognitively intact counterparts. There is, however, limited information on factors that increase the risk of falls in this population. This study aimed to determine whether a group of cognitively impaired older people (CIG) perform worse than a matched group of cognitively intact older people (NCIG) on a profile of physical performance and mobility tests. One hundred and thirty-eight cognitively impaired and 276 age and gender matched cognitively intact community-dwelling older adults (>60 years) took part in the study. Participants completed a detailed physical performance battery from which composite fall risk scores were derived. Falls were measured prospectively for 12 months with monthly falls diaries, telephone calls, and by regularly contacting participants' "person responsible." The CIG performed worse than the NCIG in tests of reaction time, muscle strength (grip and quadriceps), balance (sway on floor, sway on foam, controlled leaning balance and near tandem standing ability), and mobility (sit to stand, timed up and go (TUG) and steps required to turn 180 degrees). The CIG had significantly higher composite fall risk scores than the NCIG and fell significantly more during follow-up (Multiple falls (2+): CIG 43%; NCIG 21%). Fall risk in the CIG was significantly increased due to multiple physical impairments. Physical profiles provide a means of quantifying the extent of impairment in older people with cognitive impairment and potential direction for targeting interventions for reducing fall risk.

The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2013

Older people with cognitive impairment have an elevated fall risk, with 60% falling annually. The... more 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.

Age and Ageing, 2012

Objectives: to explore the associations between spatiotemporal gait parameters and falls in cogni... more Objectives: to explore the associations between spatiotemporal gait parameters and falls in cognitively impaired older people and to investigate whether sensorimotor and neuropsychological factors mediate the association between gait performance and falls. Design: prospective cohort study with a 1 year follow-up. Setting: community-dwelling sample. Participants: sixty-four participants (62-96 years of age) with cognitive impairment. Measurements: gait analysis and sensorimotor and neuropsychological functions were assessed in all participants. Falls were identified prospectively for 1 year. Results: multiple fallers (≥2 falls) had significantly slower gait velocity, shorter stride length, greater double support time and increased step length variability in univariate analyses. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the relationship between gait and falls was mediated primarily by sensorimotor function and to a lesser extent by neuropsychological performance. Conclusion: the findings indicate that slow and variable gait patterns increase the risk of falls in cognitively impaired older adults. Further, the association between gait and falls seems to be mediated in large by reduced sensorimotor functioning. Further research is needed to investigate whether interventions aimed at improving gait and/or sensorimotor fall risk factors, such as strength and balance, can prevent falls in cognitively impaired older adults.

The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2013

Background. This study evaluated psychometric properties of the Iconographical Falls Efficacy Sca... more Background. This study evaluated psychometric properties of the Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale (Icon-FES) to measure fear of falling in cognitively impaired older people. Icon-FES uses pictures as visual cues to prompt responses.

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2017

To explore the relationship between cognitive performance and falls in older people with mild to ... more To explore the relationship between cognitive performance and falls in older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment (CI) by investigating the mediational effects of medical, medication, neuropsychological, and physiological factors. Secondary analysis, prospective cohort study. Community and low-level care. 177 older people (aged 82 ± 7 years) with mild to moderate CI (MMSE 11-23; ACE-R < 83). Global cognition and six neuropsychological domains (memory, language, visuospatial, processing speed, executive function [EF], and affect) were assessed. Participants also underwent sensorimotor and balance assessments. Falls were recorded prospectively for 12 months. The EF domain was most strongly associated with multiple falls (relative risk [RR]: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.18-1.91). Global cognition was not associated with falls (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.92-1.30). Additional analyses showed that participants with poorer EF (median cutpoint) were more likely to be taking centrally acting medications and were less physically active. They also had significantly worse vision, reaction time, knee extension strength, balance (postural sway, controlled leaning balance), and higher physiological fall risk scores. Participants with poorer EF were 1.5 times (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.03-2.18) more likely to have multiple falls. Mediational analyses demonstrated that reaction time and postural sway reduced the relative risk of EF on multiple falls by 31% (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.81-1.74). Within this sample of older people with mild to moderate CI, poorer EF increased the risk of multiple falls. This relationship was mediated by reaction time and postural sway,suggesting cognitively impaired older people with poorer EF may benefit from fall prevention programs targeting these mediating factors.

International psychogeriatrics, Jan 3, 2016

Older people with dementia are at increased risk of physical decline and falls. Balance and mood ... more Older people with dementia are at increased risk of physical decline and falls. Balance and mood are significant predictors of falls in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a tailored home-based exercise program in community-dwelling older people with dementia. Forty-two participants with mild to moderate dementia were recruited from routine health services. All participants were offered a six-month home-based, carer-enhanced, progressive, and individually tailored exercise program. Physical activity, quality of life, physical, and psychological assessments were administered at the beginning and end of the trial. Of 33 participants (78.6%) who completed the six-month reassessment ten (30%) reported falls and six (18%) multiple falls during the follow-up period. At reassessment, participants had better balance (sway on floor and foam), reduced concern about falls, increased planned physical activity, but worse knee extension strength and no change in ...

Journal of physiotherapy, 2010

What is the prevalence of mobility-related disability 3 months after discharge from inpatient age... more What is the prevalence of mobility-related disability 3 months after discharge from inpatient aged care rehabilitation? Can a clinical tool predict which individuals will experience mobility-related disability 3 months after discharge? Prospective cohort study. 442 patients newly admitted to two large inpatient rehabilitation units. Predictors were co-morbidities; pre-admission mobility; and discharge cognition, pain, vision, muscle strength, and mobility. The outcome of interest was inability to climb a flight of stairs and walk 800 m without assistance. 157 participants (36%) were unable to climb a flight of stairs and walk 800 m without assistance prior to hospital admission. Three months after discharge, 254 participants (59%) were unable to complete both tasks. A simple clinical prediction tool based on pre-admission ability to complete the two tasks, co-morbidity on admission, and pre-discharge measurement of: leaning while standing (Maximal Balance Range test), low-contrast v...

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2010

To develop and internally validate a simple falls prediction tool for rehabilitation settings. Pr... more To develop and internally validate a simple falls prediction tool for rehabilitation settings. Prospective cohort study. A total of 533 inpatients. Possible predictors of falls were collected from medical records, interview and physical assessment. Falls during inpatient stays were monitored. Fourteen percent of participants fell. A multivariate model to predict falls included: male gender (odds ratio (OR) 2.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-4.64), central nervous system medications (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.47-4.25), a fall in the previous 12 months (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.07-4.56), frequent toileting (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.27-3.62) and tandem stance inability (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.11-3.59). The area under the curve for this model was 0.74 (95% CI 0.68-0.80). The Predict_FIRST tool is a unit weighted adaptation of this model (i.e. 1 point allocated for each predictor) and its area under the curve was 0.73 (95% CI 0.68-0.79). Predicted and actual falls risks corresponded closely. This tool provides a simple way to quantify the probability with which an individual patient will fall during a rehabilitation stay.

The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2013

Older people with cognitive impairment have an elevated fall risk, with 60% falling annually. The... more 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.