Fall risk in women over 50 after distal radius fracture

Source: Journal of Hand Therapy, 2017, online

Follow this link for the abstract

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.

Quick adjustments during gait are less accurate through focal cerebellar lesions

Source: Gait & Posture, 2017, Volume 58 p. 390-393

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: October 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Online gait corrections are frequently used to restore gait stability and prevent falling. They require shorter response times than voluntary movements which suggests that subcortical pathways contribute to the execution of online gait corrections. To evaluate the cerebellum in these pathways two hypotheses were tested around accuracy of online gait corrections and the pronouncement of differences. The reduced ability to accurately adjust foot placement during walking in individuals with focal cerebellar lesions appears to be a general movement control deficit, which could contribute to increased fall risk.

Length of publication: 3 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.

Conceptualizing a dynamic fall risk model including intrinsic risks and exposures

Source: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2017, Online

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: September 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are a major cause of injury and disability in older people, and can lead to various health and social consequences. Accurately understanding and identifying a person’s fall risk is needed to design and provide individual prevention measures, but current fall-risk models are weak compared to risk models for other specialities. Current models, for example, consider risk factors to be stable over time, not reflecting real-life experience. This study therefore posits a dynamic fall-risk model linking time and context. This may lead to the development of new fall prevention interventions.

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.

Strategies to prevent falls and injuries among older adults

Source: Nursing Clinics of North America, 2017, Volume 52 no 3 p. 489-497

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: September 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls in older adults are the leading cause of injuries, and community-dwelling older adults should have an annual fall risk screening/assessment. This article looks at both clinical and community-based strategies from several different evidence-based programs to raise awareness in older adults in the community about falls, about increasing strength and balance, and to address the fear of falling.

Length of publication: 8 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.

An integrative review of pediatric fall risk assessment tools

Source: Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 2017, online

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: March 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Patient fall prevention begins with accurate risk assessment. However, sustained improvements in prevention and quality of care include use of validated fall risk assessment tools (FRATs) to identify patients at highest risk. Adult FRATs are often used to create tools for pediatric patients. However, adult FRATs do not adequately assess risk in children, and pediatric FRATs have not been found to be reliable and valid across institutions and diverse populations. This review highlights the importance of choosing a FRAT based on an institution’s identified risk factors and validating the tool for one’s own patient 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.

Preoperative Falls Predict Postoperative Falls, Functional Decline, and Surgical Complications

Source: EBioMedicine, 2016, online

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: August 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are common and linked to morbidity. This study’s objectives were to characterize postoperative falls, and determine whether preoperative falls independently predicted postoperative falls (primary outcome), functional dependence, quality of life, complications, and readmission. It concluded that falls are common after surgery, and preoperative falls herald postoperative falls and other adverse outcomes. A history of preoperative falls should be routinely ascertained.

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.

Body mass index, falls, and injurious falls among U.S. adults

Source: Preventive Medicine, 2016, Vol 91 p. 217-223

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: October 2016

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are an important health concern because they are associated with loss of independence and disability, particularly among women. This study determined the age- and sex-specific prevalence of injurious falls among adults in the United States and examined the impact of obesity on fall risk. Not only are mid-life women at high risk for falls, but the class II/III obesity is a risk factor for injurious falls. Targeting mid-life women for fall and injury prevention is an important aim for practitioners, particularly given unique correlates of falling for this group.

Length of publication: 6 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.

Preventing falls for a person with dementia

Source: Crisis Prevention Institute

Follow this link for the article

Date of publication: July 2016

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: Falls are a danger to a person with dementia, and a cause of alarm to family and professional caregivers. Wherever the person lives, and no matter what stage of dementia the person is living with, falls must—and can—be prevented due to their high-risk status and the difficulty associated with recovery. Evidence indicates that multifactorial approaches are beneficial. Collaborating with an occupational therapist (OT) trained in dementia care is essential, as they will discover the client’s cognitive level and focus on remaining abilities, as well as task modification, environmental adaptation and enhanced communication.

Length of publication: 1 page