Impaired perceived timing of falls in the elderly

Source: Gait & Posture, 2018, Vol 59 p. 40-45

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Date of publication: January 2018

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and hospitalizations, with older adults at an increased risk. As humans age, physical changes and health conditions make falls more likely. The body reflexively responds to prevent injury during a fall, though little is known of the perception of this response. Younger and older people were compared for their perceptions of time during a fall: older people’s fall perception was found to be nearly twice as slow. It is possible that such age-related differences in fall perception may relate to increased falls rates in older adults.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Fall risk in women over 50 after distal radius fracture

Source: Journal of Hand Therapy, 2017, online

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Date of publication: November 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The purpose of this study was to determine changes in overall functional status over the first year after a Distal Radial Fracture in women aged 50 years and older. Seventy-eight women were assessed for balance, balance confidence, lower extremity strength, gait speed, fall history, physical activity levels, and self-reported wrist pain and function at intervals after DRF. Groups of participants aged 50-65 years and 65 years and older were compared. Both groups had the same pattern of recovery, though the older group has a lower functional status which can lead to fall risk.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Reducing falls can help trusts improve patient experience and reduce costs

Source: NHS Improvement, 2017

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Date of publication: July 2017

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: This report from NHS Improvement provides a picture of the scale of inpatient falls and the benefits to the NHS if the rate in hospitals was reduced. It followed the successful completion of their collaboration between 19 trusts to adopt improvement methodologies and creating a learning community to discuss changes. Results include the observation that older patients represent 77% of total falls, but 87% of total costs – reducing this group by around 25-30% could result in annual savings of up to £170m.

Length of publication: 1 page

Parkinsonian signs are a risk factor for falls

Source: Gait & Posture, 2017 p. 1-5

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Date of publication: June 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This cohort study looked at how likely people with Parkinson’s disease were to fall compared to those without, as Parkinsonian symptoms are common in older adults and are associated with increased rates of dementia and mortality. Even adjusting for age, cognitive function and co-morbidities, those with signs were still 38% more likely to fall than those without, and those falls were also more likely to lead to injury. Parkinsonian signs are a significant and independent risk factor for falls, and early detection is essential to implement fall prevention programmes.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Effects of obesity in recovering stability after a treadmill slip

Source: Journal of Biomechanics, 2017, online

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: January 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study investigated the effects of obesity on falls and dynamic stability control in young adults subjected to a standardized treadmill-induced gait-slip. Trials were categorized as a fall or recovery based on the reliance of the subject on external support following the slip. Compared with the normal-weight group, the obese group demonstrated less relative muscle strength and fell more after the slip. Obese people’s dynamic stability after slip was impaired possibly due to the inability of controlling the trunk segment’s backward lean movement. Obesity therefore most likely influences ability to recover from slips. Interventions must be aimed at balance recovery among individuals with obesity.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Comparison of factors between elderly fall groups receiving home care

Source: Asian Nursing Research, 2017, online

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Date of publication: December 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The purpose of this study was to provide information to develop a program to prevent repeated falls by analyzing the difference in gait, muscle strength, balance, and fear of falling according to their fall experience. The study suggests that intervention program should be tailored to fall risk factors to enhance gait and balance and lower body muscle strength and reduce the fear of falling to prevent repeated incidences of falls in this population.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Exercise and vitamin D reduce falls among institutionalised frail elderly

Source: International Journal of Gerontology, 2016, online

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Date of publication: November 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are a serious problem among frail elderly people and prevention is an important health concern. This study compared the frequency of falls among institutionalised residents following different interventions: low-frequency exercise; vitamin supplementation; a combination of both. The results showed that combining the two interventions significantly reduced the risk of falls, whereas the other two groups did not show any significant difference.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Falls and fear of falling after stroke

Source: PM&R, 2016, online

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: June 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are common after someone has suffered a stroke, and the consequences are potentially serious. However, few investigations have age-matched the control participants to directly compare with fall characteristics between older adults with and without strokes. Also, fear of falling – a significant psychological consequence of falls – has only been examined to a limited degree as a risk factor for future falls in a stroke population. This observational study aimed to compare the fall history between older adults with and without previous stroke and to identify the determinants of falls and fear of falling in older stroke victims

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.