Development of predictive models for the estimation of the probability of suffering fear of falling and other fall risk factors based on posturography parameters in community-dwelling older adults

• Published in: International journal of industrial ergonomics Vol. 54; pp. 131 - 138
• Main Authors: Dueñas, Lirios, Balasch i Bernat, Mercè, Mena del Horno, Silvia, Aguilar-Rodríguez, Marta, Alcántara, Enrique
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.07.2016; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Ageing; Balance; Estimating techniques; Falls; Fear & phobias; Fear of falling; Older people; Probability; Risk factors; Ageing; LS; AsIn; Risk factors; Falls; RDC; Fear of falling; REC; RFEC; RFEO; FoF; Balance; REO
• ISSN: 0169-8141; 1872-8219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2016.05.009

Falls pose an important problem for older adults. Balance training is one of the main prevention strategies, but there is a lack of objective measurement methods that would allow the effectiveness of the treatments employed to be assessed. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between posturographic parameters and risk factors associated with falling, including the fear of falling (FoF). Forty-one healthy community-dwelling older adults were surveyed on their perception of problems considered to be fall risk factors. Balance measurement with posturography was performed. The relationships between risk factors and falls and risk factors and posturography were analysed by means of cross-tabulation and logistic regression, respectively. Experimental results showed a significant relationship between some of the posturographic parameters and various fall risk factors. Stability limits were related to FoF, and results from the Romberg test with eyes closed with and without foam correlated with problems in kneeling/crouching. The results from the Romberg test with eyes closed and foam correlated with osteoarthritis. Equations were developed to estimate the probability of having such problems. In conclusion, posturography is useful for the estimation of fall risk conditions in relation to three important fall risk factors (FoF, osteoarthritis and problems in kneeling/crouching), and it could be used for targeting, training and studying progress after the use of different treatments. Posturography can be used as an assessment tool to analyse the effects of those treatments aimed at preventing falls. Furthermore, the equations derived from our results can be used along with posturographic variables to assess patient progress. •There is a significant relationship between posturography and some fall risk factors.•Equations to estimate the probability of having fall-related problems are proposed.•Posturography predicts FoF, osteoarthritis, and kneeling/crouching down problems.•Posturography could be used for training and studying progress after the treatment.