The study analyses if cognition and gait speed can predict falls in a community-dwelling people and ambulant long term care residents
Falls are some of the most common events among elderly people. The odds of recurrent falls increase every year, which can cause impairment in basic activities of daily living, social isolation, fear of falling again and death. The aim of the present study is to analyze the role of cognition and gait speed as predictors to falls in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly people. Methods:Twenty-five individuals living in a long-term care facility and 25 non-institutionalized individuals participated in the study. A questionnaire about their history of falls, tests to evaluate cognition (global and executive function) and a pedometer with an accelerometer to measure kinematic variables were applied.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
50
Observational study: kinematic variables, falls and executive function were analyzed
Cognitive predictor of falls assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination
To measure cognitive predictor will be used Mini-Mental State Examination
Time frame: falls on past 12 months
Executive function predictor of falls assessed with the Wisconsin Card Sort Test
To measure executive function will be used Wisconsin Card Sort Test
Time frame: falls on past 12 months
Gait speed predictor of falls assessed with an accelerometer
To measure gait speed will be used an accelerometer
Time frame: falls on past 12 months
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