Assessing gait parameters with accelerometer-based methods to identify older adults at risk of falls: a systematic review

Abstract Background The aging population increasingly needs assistive technologies, such as rollators, to function and live less dependently. Rollators are designed to decrease the risk of falls by improving the gait mechanics of their users. However, data on the biomechanics of rollator assisted gait of older adults are limited, or mostly derived from experiments with younger adults. Methods and results This review summarises the data from 18 independent studies on the kinematic and kinetic gait parameters of assisted gait of older persons. All of these studies evaluated spatio-temporal parameters, but not joint angles or moments. Conclusion Due to the limited research on rollator supported gait in older adults, the number of parameters that could be analysed in this systematic review was restricted. Further research in the analysis of spatio-temporal parameters and a higher standardisation in clinical research will be necessary.

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Timed up and go test and risk of falls in older adults: A systematic review

The journal of nutrition health & aging ◽

10.1007/s12603-011-0062-0 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 933-938 ◽

Cited By ~ 147

Author(s):

Olivier Beauchet ◽

B. Fantino ◽

G. Allali ◽

S. W. Muir ◽

M. Montero-Odasso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Falls In Older Adults

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Authors’ Reply to Kahlaee et al: “A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of the Association Between Anti-hypertensive Classes and the Risk of Falls Among Older Adults”

Drugs & Aging ◽

10.1007/s40266-018-0608-5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 95-101

Author(s):

Ka Keat Lim ◽

Hui Ting Ang ◽

Yu Heng Kwan ◽

Chuen Seng Tan ◽

Truls Ostbye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Meta Analyses

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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of the Association Between Anti-Hypertensive Classes and the Risk of Falls Among Older Adults

Drugs & Aging ◽

10.1007/s40266-018-0561-3 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (7) ◽

pp. 625-635 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Hui Ting Ang ◽

Ka Keat Lim ◽

Yu Heng Kwan ◽

Pui San Tan ◽

Kai Zhen Yap ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Meta Analyses

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Instrumented Analysis of the Sit-to-Stand Movement for Geriatric Screening: A Systematic Review

Bioengineering ◽

10.3390/bioengineering7040139 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 139

Author(s):

Brajesh Shukla ◽

Jennifer Bassement ◽

Vivek Vijay ◽

Sandeep Yadav ◽

David Hewson

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

At Risk ◽

Older People ◽

Search Strategy ◽

Risk Of Falling ◽

Sit To Stand ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Geriatric Screening ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Future Work

The Sit-to-Stand (STS) is a widely used test of physical function to screen older people at risk of falls and frailty and is also one of the most important components of standard screening for sarcopenia. There have been many recent studies in which instrumented versions of the STS (iSTS) have been developed to provide additional parameters that could improve the accuracy of the STS test. This systematic review aimed to identify whether an iSTS is a viable alternative to a standard STS to identify older people at risk of falling, frailty, and sarcopenia. A total of 856 articles were found using the search strategy developed, with 12 articles retained in the review after screening based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Six studies evaluated the iSTS in fallers, five studies in frailty and only one study in both fallers and frailty. The results showed that power and velocity parameters extracted from an iSTS have the potential to improve the accuracy of screening when compared to a standard STS. Future work should focus on standardizing the segmentation of the STS into phases to enable comparison between studies and to develop devices integrated into the chair used for the test to improve usability.

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The Association between Hearing Loss, Postural Control, and Mobility in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.16044 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (06) ◽

pp. 575-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Maayan Agmon ◽

Limor Lavie ◽

Michail Doumas

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Postural Control ◽

Large Body ◽

Positive Association ◽

The Elderly ◽

Objective Measures ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

Risk Of Falls

Background: Degraded hearing in older adults has been associated with reduced postural control and higher risk of falls. Both hearing loss (HL) and falls have dramatic effects on older persons’ quality of life (QoL). A large body of research explored the comorbidity between the two domains. Purpose: The aim of the current review is to describe the comorbidity between HL and objective measures of postural control, to offer potential mechanisms underlying this relationship, and to discuss the clinical implications of this comorbidity. Data Collection and Analysis: PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically searched for articles published in English up until October 15, 2015, using combinations of the following strings and search words: for hearing: Hearing loss, “Hearing loss,” hearing, presbycusis; for postural control: postural control, gait, postural balance, fall, walking; and for age: elderly, older adults. Results: Of 211 screened articles, 7 were included in the systematic review. A significant, positive association between HL and several objective measures of postural control was found in all seven studies, even after controlling for major covariates. Severity of hearing impairment was connected to higher prevalence of difficulties in walking and falls. Physiological, cognitive, and behavioral processes that may influence auditory system and postural control were suggested as potential explanations for the association between HL and postural control. Conclusions: There is evidence for the independent relationship between HL and objective measures of postural control in the elderly. However, a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying this relationship is yet to be elucidated. Concurrent diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of these two modalities may reduce falls and increase QoL in older adults.

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Implementation of an Opioid and Benzodiazepine Deprescribing Program for Older Adults in an Outpatient Setting

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3334 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 906-906

Author(s):

Lori Armistead ◽

Jan Busby-Whitehead ◽

Stefanie Ferreri ◽

Cristine Henage ◽

Tamera Hughes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Primary Care ◽

At Risk ◽

Older Adult ◽

Adult Population ◽

Primary Care Providers ◽

The United States ◽

Outpatient Setting ◽

Care Providers ◽

Risk Of Falls

Abstract The United States spends $50 billion each year on 2.8 million injuries and 800,000 hospitalizations older adults (age 65 years and older) incur as the result of falls. Chronic use of central nervous system (CNS)-active medications, such as opioid and/or benzodiazepine (BZD) medications, increases the risk of falls and falls-related injuries in this older adult population. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded randomized control trial uses electronic health record (EHR) data from primary care outpatient clinics to identify older adult patients at risk for falls due to chronic opioid or BZD use. The primary program aim is to test the efficacy of a targeted consultant pharmacist service to reduce the dose burden of these medications in the targeted population. Impact of this intervention on the risk of falls in this population will also be assessed. Licensed clinical pharmacists will review at-risk patients’ medical records weekly and make recommendations through the EHR to primary care providers for opioid or BZD dose adjustments, alternate medications, and/or adjunctive therapies to support deprescribing for approximately 1265 patients in the first two cohorts of intervention clinics. One thousand three hundred eighty four patients in the control clinics will receive usual care. Outcome measures will include reduction or discontinuation of opioids and BZDs and falls risk reduction as measured by the Stop Elderly Accidents, Death and Injuries (STEADI) Questionnaire. Primary care provider adoption of pharmacists’ recommendations and satisfaction with the consult service will also be reported.

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Effects of Different Exercise Interventions on Risk of Falls, Gait Ability, and Balance in Physically Frail Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Rejuvenation Research ◽

10.1089/rej.2012.1397 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 105-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 319

Author(s):

Eduardo Lusa Cadore ◽

Leocadio Rodríguez-Mañas ◽

Alan Sinclair ◽

Mikel Izquierdo

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Frail Older Adults ◽

Risk Of Falls

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Association between Loneliness and Diseases Self-Management in Older Adults: Systematic Review

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2374 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 626-627

Author(s):

Emma Cho ◽

Ya-Ching Huang ◽

Alexandra Garcia ◽

Hsuan-Ju Kuo

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

At Risk ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Self Management ◽

Physically Active ◽

Aging Populations ◽

Management Behaviors

Abstract Purpose Older adults with chronic diseases are more at risk for loneliness, and loneliness has a negative impact on health behaviors, which are key to managing chronic diseases. However, little is known about the association between loneliness and self-management behaviors in older adults with chronic diseases. As societies worldwide experience the growth of aging populations who are at higher risk of having chronic diseases as they age, clinicians and researchers should assess and address loneliness of older adults with chronic diseases. Methods This systematic review synthesizes research found in PubMed, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and SocINDEX. Findings: fourteen studies were conducted in four countries and represented n= 128,610. Loneliness was measured by three different instruments. Reports of loneliness were frequent and ranged from 7.7% (in a report of severe loneliness) to 43.2% (moderate loneliness) of older adults. Older adults who experienced loneliness were less likely to be physically active, eat a healthy diet, or cope in positive ways and more likely to be female and seek healthcare. Conclusions This systematic review found that loneliness was moderately prevalent, and that loneliness was associated with negative disease self-management behaviors in older adults with chronic diseases. Gaps in the research include a need for studies guided by theoretical pathways, using a consistent, theoretically-based measure of loneliness, and conducted on among people with specific chronic diseases.

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