Falls, Cognitive Function, and Balance Profiles of Singapore Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals: Key Risk Factors

Abstract

Objective:This study compared occurrence of falls, cognitive function, and balance profiles across participants in elderly age categories, investigating associations between the 3 aspects in a sample of Singapore’s elderly population.Method:Community-dwelling elderly individuals (N = 385) were randomly recruited and grouped into “young-old (65-74 years),” “medium-old (75-84 years),” and “oldest-old (above 85 years)” groups. The Fallproof Health and Activity questionnaire, adapted Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) tests were used to survey information related to falls, cognition, and balance profiles.Results:Findings revealed significant differences in MMSE and BBS scores across the age groups. Participants with mild cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-3.25) and BBS score ≤40 (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.14-0.46) were at the highest risk of falling.Conclusion:Community-dwelling elderly individuals with subtle cognitive impairment and BBS scores ≤40 displayed an increased risk of falling.

Connection between Static and Dynamic Balance during Dual Task Performance

“…Reabilitacijos mokslai: slauga, kineziterapija, ergoterapija, 1 (18) 2018, 14-22;ISSN 2029-3194 / eISSN 2538 Esminis mobilumo požymis yra gebėjimas saugiai vaikščioti ir judėti, tačiau tarp vyresniojo amžiaus žmonių griuvimai yra dažni ir lemia rimtus pažeidimus, savarankiškumo praradimą ir slaugą, todėl tai yra svarbi visuomenės sveikatos problema (Ambrose et al, 2013). Pažintinių funkcijų ir pusiausvyros išlaikymo sutrikimai yra du pagrindiniai griuvimus lemiantys veiksniai (Woo et al, 2017). S. U.…”

“…Kasdieniame gyvenime dažnai tenka atlikti ne vieną motorinę ir kognityvinę užduotį vienu metu, todėl sąsaja tarp griuvimo rizikos bei pažintinės funkcijos yra labai glaudi, ir ji atsiranda senstant frontalinei žievei bei atsiradus pokyčiams baltojoje smegenų medžiagoje. Vos pastebimi pažintinės funkcijos pokyčiai gali nulemti netinkamą sprendimų priėmimą, vykdomosios funkcijos suprastėjimą, dėmesio, informacijos apdorojimo bei mąstymo sutrikimus, kurie padidina griuvimo riziką, ypač kai tenka atlikti ne vieną motorinę ir kognityvinę užduotį kartu, pavydžiui, stovėti ir kalbėti, kalbėti ir lipti laiptais, vaikščioti ir naudotis telefonu (Woo et al, 2017). Visgi, naujausių tyrimų duomenimis, dar trūksta objektyvių tyrimo metodų pusiausvyrai įvertinti atliekant konkurencingas užduotis (Agmon et al, 2014;Bergamin et al, 2014;).…”

The Importance of Physical Activity in the Interaction of Motor and Cognitive Functions in Elderly People

“…Low physical activity leads to faster muscle loss in old age, leading to imbalance and increased risk of falls. Impaired cognitive function is also associated with a higher risk of falls (Woo et al, 2017). The risk of falling is greatly increased when two tasks are performed at the same time, such as: walking and using the phone, thinking, speaking, calculating and walking, trying to stay stable (Woo et al, 2017).…”

“…Impaired cognitive function is also associated with a higher risk of falls (Woo et al, 2017). The risk of falling is greatly increased when two tasks are performed at the same time, such as: walking and using the phone, thinking, speaking, calculating and walking, trying to stay stable (Woo et al, 2017). Increased cognitive function during a dual task requires compensatory mechanisms to maintain a stable body position (Seidler et al, 2010).…”

Is Excess Alcohol Consumption an Unrecognized Factor Contributing to Falls?

“…We read with interest the excellent paper by Woo et al 1 The investigators profile community-dwelling Singaporeans according to their Mini-Mental scores and Berg Balance scores (BBS). The findings suggest that subtle cognitive impairment and BBS scores ≤40 may increase the risk of falling.…”