Physical and functional factors in activities of daily living that predict falls in community-dwelling older women

Aim: In order to propose rehabilitation strategies for the reduction of falls risk, thereby preventing falls in older women, the present study was designed to explore the physical and functional factors related to actual incidence of falls. Methods: Fifty-eight female patients aged 65 years and older (mean age +/- standard deviation, 80.5 +/- 5.7), who were attending a geriatric outpatient clinic participated. All the participants were assessed with their activities of daily living, gait and balance using various scales. Their handgrip strength and muscle strength of lower extremities were also measured using dynamometers. Falls of the participants during the 6 months follow-up period were recorded. Results: Correlation analysis investigating associations between the scores of assessment scales and actual measurement of muscle strength and balance showed that there were significant correlations between handgrip strength and Falls Efficacy Scale, Functional Reach test, Timed Up and Go test, Berg Balance Scale, Motor Fitness Scale, motor Functional Independence Measure in fallers and non-fallers. A binary logistic stepwise regression analysis incorporating all the possible variables into the model revealed that only inability to "being able to go up and down the staircase" in the Motor Fitness Scale remained a significant variable to predict falls during the period of observation. Conclusion: The results confirmed that the sub-item in the Motor Fitness Scale has a possibility of being a significant predictor of falls in older women, and therefore might prove useful in considering specific rehabilitation program on falls prevention as well as screening this population at risk of falls. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11: 348-357.