The relation between cognitive impairment and the risk of falling among elderly people: preliminary reports (original) (raw)

Correlation of Cognitive Impairment with Functional Mobility & Risk of Fall in Elderly Individuals

Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal, 2017

Ageing is an integral part of human life. Elderly people are highly prone to mental comorbidities due to ageing of brain; problems associated with physical health, socioeconomic factors such as breakdown of the family support systems and decreased economic independence. Movement emerges from the interactions of the individual, task with its inherent postural demands, and the environment constraints on postural actions. The individual's capacity to meet interacting task and environmental demands determines the person's functional mobility. Cognitive changes occur with ageing, though the relationship between impairment and function are poorly understood. Falling can be attributed to physiological impairments such as muscular weakness, impaired balance, and slowed reaction time but can also be associated with cognitive impairments. Thus, the aim of the present study was to find out the correlation between cognitive impairment with functional mobility and risk of all in elderly individuals.

Physiological Fall Risk Factors in Cognitively Impaired Older People: A One-Year Prospective Study

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 2012

operating characteristic curve for the PPA model including tests of vision, proprioception, knee extension strength, reaction time, postural sway and leaning balance was 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.83). Conclusion: These findings indicate poor performance on physiological fall risk factors, particularly balance, increases the risk of falls in older cognitively impaired people.

Can clinical and physical-functional factors predict falls in cognitively impaired older adults?

Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia, 2019

Objective: to investigate the frequency of falls and clinical and physical-functional factors associated with falls, and the accuracy of such factors to identify the risk of falling in cognitively impaired older adults. Method: a cross-sectional study with cognitively impaired older adults was carried out using the Mini-Mental State Examination. The dependent variable was a history of falls in the previous six months. The independent variables were self-reported mental confusion, hearing and visual impairment, physical fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, body imbalance, insecurity when walking, diagnosed depression, hospitalizations, continuous use medications (form from study used), muscle mass (calf circumference) and handgrip strength (dynamometry), functional capacity (Pfeffer) and mobility (SAM-Br). Descriptive statistics were applied. The groups were compared using the Mann Whitney U test, the risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression, an...

Fall Risk Assessment in Mild Cognitively Impaired Institutionalised Elderly

https://www.ijhsr.org/IJHSR\_Vol.13\_Issue.6\_June2023/IJHSR-Abstract28.html, 2023

Occurrence of falls with advancing age is the most common phenomenon observed in the elder population. Degenerative changes in the somatosensory system as well with decline in cognition are the most common contributing factors. Gradual deterioration in the processing of higher mental functions has the potential to increase the episodes of falls. Incidence of fall in geriatrics residing in an institutionalised old age home are the most common cause of concern as it increases their level of dependence on the caregivers. Present study aims to evaluate risk of fall in institutionalised elderly with mild cognitive impairment by administering a reliable and valid Tinneti POMA assessment tool.

Different cognitive functions in relation to falls among older persons

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2002

It is not clear which specific cognitive function is strongest related to falls. To investigate this, not only "general cognitive functioning," but also "nonverbal and abstract reasoning," "information processing speed," and "immediate memory" were related to falls. Furthermore, relevant effect modifiers, confounders, and mediators were identified. This study was performed within the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), a multidisciplinary, prospective cohort study. In this study ( n ϭ 1437), an interaction between "immediate memory" and age was found. In persons aged 75 years and over, "immediate memory," as measured by the 15 Words Test, showed to be an independent risk factor for falls. Part of this relationship was explained by the mediating effects of activity, mobility, and grip strength. The association between the other cognitive functions and falls was only statistically significant in univariate analysis. We conclude that "immediate memory" is an independent risk factor for recurrent falls in persons aged 75 years and older.

Risk Factors for Falls in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer Disease

Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001), 2017

Understanding fall risk factors in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD) can help to establish specific plans for prevention of falls. The purpose of this study was to identify fall risk factors in older adults with MCI and mild AD. A prospective study was conducted with community-dwelling older adults (40 MCI; 38 mild AD). The assessments consisted of sociodemographic and health variables, caloric expenditure, functional status, functional mobility (10-m walk test, dual-task test, and transition Timed Up and Go phases), cognitive domains, and depressive symptoms. Falls were recorded for 6 months by a falls calendar and monthly telephone calls. Falls were reported in 52.6% and 51.4% of people with MCI and mild AD, respectively. Among people with MCI, lower functional status, higher time spent on walk and dual task tests, and higher depressive symptom scores were associated with falls. Higher time spent on the dual-task test was independently associat...

Coordination performance and falls history among elderlywith mild cognitive impairment

2020

The objectives of the study were to compare coordination and falls history between elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and without MCI and to determine the correlation between coordination and falls among the elderly with MCI. The recruited participants were 28 elderly people with MCI and 28 elderly people without MCI. Falls and coordination measured by the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) and Foot Tapping (FT) were investigated. Significant differences were found in coordination measured by the NHPT and FT between the elderly participants with and without MCI. Higher numbers of fallers were found in the group of participants with MCI compared with the other group. Coordination measured by FT was significantly correlated with falls history in the MCI group. Declining coordination could be one factor contributing to falls in a population compared to elderly people without MCI. Foot Tapping should be included as a routine assessment for individuals with MCI.

Fall risk factors in elderly patients with cognitive impairment on rehabilitation wards

Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 2009

Background: Confusion and cognitive impairment, are risk factors for falls in hospital. Evidence for reducing falls in cognitively-impaired patients is limited and to date no intervention has consistently been shown to reduce falls in this group of patients. We explored characteristics associated with falls in cognitively-impaired patients in a rehabilitation setting.Methods: In a prospective observational study, 825 consecutive patients were studied. Patient characteristics were assessed on admission. Factors predisposing to falls in cognitively-impaired patients were identified.Results: Cognitively-impaired patients were more likely to be fallers or recurrent fallers and more likely to sustain an injury than cognitively intact patients. They had a higher incidence of nursing home discharges and a significantly higher mortality. Logistic regression analysis showed that an unsafe gait (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval, 0.13–0.57) was the only independent risk factor for falls in this group of patients. There was a cumulative higher risk of falling associated with an unsafe gait demonstrable throughout the patients' stay.Conclusion: Unsafe gait was the only significant independent risk factor for falls among cognitively-impaired patients in a rehabilitation environment. Interventions that improve gait patterns or that enhance safety for patients with abnormal gait are required if fall reduction in this group of patients is to be achieved.