scholarly journals Longitudinal Associations Between Gait, Falls, and Disability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Type II Diabetes Mellitus: Findings From The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orna A Donoghue ◽  
Siobhan Leahy ◽  
Rose Anne Kenny
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Type Ii Diabetes ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Diabetes Status ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Task Step

Abstract Background Diabetes is associated with gait deficits, future falls, and disability; however, it is unclear if associations remain after controlling for relevant confounders. This study investigated (i) the effects of type II diabetes on spatiotemporal gait parameters in community-dwelling older adults and (ii) if diabetes status was independently associated with future falls and disability, after controlling for gait and other confounders. Method Baseline data were obtained from 2608 community-dwelling adults (≥60 years) participating in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Diabetes was identified from self-reported doctors’ diagnosis, medications, and glycated hemoglobin levels. Gait characteristics were obtained during single- and dual-task walking using a GAITRite mat (n = 2560). Incident falls and disability were collected over 4 years follow-up (n = 2473). Associations between diabetes status and gait (cross-sectional) and falls and disability (longitudinal) were investigated using regression analysis, adjusting for medications, cardiovascular health, neuropsychological function, and fall-related factors. Results Diabetes (prevalence = 9.1%) was cross-sectionally associated with shorter dual-task step length after adjusting for covariates (β = −1.59, 95% CI: −3.10, −0.08, p < .05). Diabetes was independently associated with increased risk of future instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) difficulty in those with no prior difficulty (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.11, p < .05) although dual-task step length was an important confounder in all disability models. No independent associations between diabetes and falls were observed. Conclusions Diabetes was independently associated with shorter dual-task step length and increased risk of future IADL difficulty. Multidimensional interventions addressing poor health and function in those with diabetes may help reduce the risk of gait deficits and future disability.

scholarly journals Comparison of Lateral Perturbation-Induced Step Training and Hip Muscle Strengthening Exercise on Balance and Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W Rogers ◽  
Robert A Creath ◽  
Vicki Gray ◽  
Janice Abarro ◽  
Sandy McCombe Waller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Muscle Strengthening ◽  
Hip Muscle ◽  
Hip Abduction ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background This factorial, assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled study compared the effects of perturbation-induced step training (lateral waist-pulls), hip muscle strengthening, and their combination, on balance performance, muscle strength, and prospective falls among older adults. Methods Community-dwelling older adults were randomized to 4 training groups. Induced step training (IST, n = 25) involved 43 progressive perturbations. Hip abduction strengthening (HST, n = 25) utilized progressive resistance exercises. Combined training (CMB, n = 25) included IST and HST, and the control performed seated flexibility/relaxation exercises (SFR, n = 27). The training involved 36 sessions for a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the number of recovery steps and first step length, and maximum hip abduction torque. Fall frequency during 12 months after training was determined. Results Overall, the number of recovery steps was reduced by 31% and depended upon the first step type. IST and CMB increased the rate of more stable single lateral steps pre- and post-training than HST and SFR who used more multiple crossover and sequential steps. The improved rate of lateral steps for CMB exceeded the control (CMB/SFR rate ratio 2.68). First step length was unchanged, and HST alone increased hip torque by 25%. Relative to SFR, the fall rate ratios (falls/person/year) [95% confidence interval] were CMB 0.26 [0.07–0.90], IST 0.44 [0.18–1.08], and HST 0.30 (0.10–0.91). Conclusions Balance performance through stepping was best improved by combining perturbation and strength training and not strengthening alone. The interventions reduced future falls by 56%–74% over the control. Lateral balance perturbation training may enhance traditional programs for fall prevention.

scholarly journals Day-to-Day Variability and Year-to-Year Reproducibility of Accelerometer-Measured Free-Living Sit-to-Stand Transitions Volume and Intensity among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 6068
Author(s):  
Antti Löppönen ◽  
Laura Karavirta ◽  
Erja Portegijs ◽  
Kaisa Koivunen ◽  
Taina Rantanen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Angular Velocity ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the day-to-day variability and year-to-year reproducibility of an accelerometer-based algorithm for sit-to-stand (STS) transitions in a free-living environment among community-dwelling older adults. (2) Methods: Free-living thigh-worn accelerometry was recorded for three to seven days in 86 (women n = 55) community-dwelling older adults, on two occasions separated by one year, to evaluate the long-term consistency of free-living behavior. (3) Results: Year-to-year intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for the number of STS transitions were 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.70–0.86, p < 0.001), for mean angular velocity—0.81 (95% ci, 0.72–0.87, p < 0.001), and maximal angular velocity—0.73 (95% ci, 0.61–0.82, p < 0.001), respectively. Day-to-day ICCs were 0.63–0.72 for number of STS transitions (95% ci, 0.49–0.81, p < 0.001) and for mean angular velocity—0.75–0.80 (95% ci, 0.64–0.87, p < 0.001). Minimum detectable change (MDC) was 20.1 transitions/day for volume, 9.7°/s for mean intensity, and 31.7°/s for maximal intensity. (4) Conclusions: The volume and intensity of STS transitions monitored by a thigh-worn accelerometer and a sit-to-stand transitions algorithm are reproducible from day to day and year to year. The accelerometer can be used to reliably study STS transitions in free-living environments, which could add value to identifying individuals at increased risk for functional disability.

scholarly journals Prevalence of frailty syndrome and its associated factors among community-dwelling elderly in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205031211877558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fairus Asma Mohd Hamidin ◽  
Siti Nur’Asyura Adznam ◽  
Zuriati Ibrahim ◽  
Yoke Mun Chan ◽  
Nur Hafizah Abdul Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Frailty Syndrome ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Prevention Programmes ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: Frailty is a clinical syndrome with increased risk of poor health outcomes and particularly prevalent in older adults and community population. The study’s aim was therefore to determine the prevalence of frailty and its association with sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health-related status, and anthropometric measurements among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A total of 279 older adults aged 60 years and above were randomly selected. Respondents were classified as non-frail (<2 criteria) or frail (≥3 criteria) based on the ‘phenotype of frailty’. A binary logistic regression was used to determine predictors of frailty. Results: The prevalence of frailty was 18.3%. The frail older adults were positively associated with advanced age, being unmarried, hospitalisation in the previous year, poor self-rated health, and lower body mass index. Discussion: These results give an overview on underlying effects and guiding actions for prevention programmes functioning to reverse and minimise the adverse effects of frailty syndrome.

scholarly journals 94 Association between Dual-Task Timed “UP and GO” Test and Occurrence of Falls According to Age Group (Young-Older or Old-Older Adults): A Longitudinal Observation Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Asai ◽  
Kensuke Oshima ◽  
Yoshihiro Fukumoto ◽  
Shogo Misu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Adult Group ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Aim To elucidate the association between the occurrence of falls and timed “up and go” (TUG) test score in a dual-task condition among community-dwelling older adults by age group. Methods This longitudinal observation study included 987 community-dwelling older adults at baseline. A TUG test (single-TUG) and a TUG test while counting aloud backward from 100 (dual-TUG) were conducted at baseline. The dual-task cost (DTC) value was computed from these results. Data on fall history were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire at the 1-year follow-up. At follow-up, 322 participants had dropped out and six participants had missing data for falls. The final analysis included 658 individuals (follow-up rate: 658/987, 67%) divided into a young-older adult group (aged 60–74 years) and an old-older adult group (aged 75 years or older). Associations between the occurrence of falls and TUG-related values were analyzed by age group using multivariate logistic regression models. Results For old-older adults, there were significant associations between the occurrence of falls and DTC value (odds ratio [OR] 0.981, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.963–0.999, p = 0.040) and single-TUG score (OR 1.129, 95% CI: 1.006–1.268, p = 0.039). However, no significant associations were observed for young-older adults. Conclusions Slower single-TUG test score and lower DTC value are associated with the occurrence of falls among old-older adults but not among young-older adults. Dual task assessment is useful for predicting falls in TUG fall assessment for old-older adults.

scholarly journals Association Between Medications Acting on the Central Nervous System and Fall-Related Injuries in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A New User Cohort Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly L Gray ◽  
Zachary A Marcum ◽  
Sascha Dublin ◽  
Rod Walker ◽  
Negar Golchin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Active Medication ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background It is well established that individual medications that affect the central nervous system (CNS) increase falls risk in older adults. However, less is known about risks associated with taking multiple CNS-active medications. Methods Employing a new user design, we used data from the Adult Changes in Thought study, a prospective cohort of community-dwelling people aged 65 and older without dementia. We created a time-varying composite measure of CNS-active medication exposure from electronic pharmacy fill data and categorized into mutually exclusive categories: current (within prior 30 days), recent (31–90 days), past (91–365 days), or nonuse (no exposure in prior year). We calculated standardized daily dose and identified new initiation. Cox proportional hazards models examined the associations between exposures and the outcome of fall-related injury identified from health plan electronic databases. Results Two thousand five hundred ninety-five people had 624 fall-related injuries over 15,531 person-years of follow-up. Relative to nonuse, fall-related injury risk was significantly greater for current use of CNS-active medication (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.57–2.42), but not for recent or past use. Among current users, increased risk was noted with all doses. Risk was increased for new initiation compared with no current use (HR = 2.81; 95% CI = 2.09–3.78). Post hoc analyses revealed that risk was especially elevated with new initiation of opioids. Conclusions We found that current use, especially new initiation, of CNS-active medications was associated with fall-related injury in community-dwelling older adults. Increased risk was noted with all dose categories. Risk was particularly increased with new initiation of opioids.

scholarly journals Identifying the Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms Amongst Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Song ◽  
Doris S.F. Yu ◽  
Polly W.C. Li ◽  
Qiuhua Sun
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Geriatric Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

High-level depressive symptoms have been reported in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), resulting in increased risk of progression to dementia. However, studies investigating the correlates of depressive symptoms among this population are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the significant socio-demographic, lifestyle-related and disease-related correlates of depressive symptoms among this cohort. Cross-sectional data were obtained from a sample of 154 Chinese community-dwelling older adults with MCI. MCI subjects were screened by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale. Possible correlates of depressive symptoms in individuals with MCI were explored by multiple linear regressions. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults with MCI was 31.8%. In multiple regression analysis, poor perceived positive social interaction, small social network, low level of physical activity, poor functional status, subjective memory complaint, and poor health perception were correlated with depressive symptoms. The findings highlight that depressive symptoms are sufficient to warrant evaluation and management in older adults with MCI. Addressing social isolation, assisting this vulnerable group in functional and physical activities, and cultivating a positive perception towards cognitive and physical health are highly prioritized treatment targets among individuals with MCI.

Safety, Feasibility, and Reliability of the Maximal Step Length, Gait Speed, and Chair Test Measured by Seniors Themselves: The Senior Step Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim T.J. Bongers ◽  
Yvonne Schoon ◽  
Maartje J. Graauwmans ◽  
Marlies E. Hoogsteen-Ossewaarde ◽  
Marcel G.M. Olde Rikkert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Training Effect ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
At Home

Self-management of mobility and fall risk might be possible if older adults could use a simple and safe self-test to measure their own mobility, balance, and fall risk at home. The aim of this study was to determine the safety, feasibility, and intraindividual reliability of the maximal step length (MSL), gait speed (GS), and chair test (CT) as potential self-tests for assessing mobility and fall risk. Fifty-six community-dwelling older adults performed MSL, GS, and CT at home once a week during a four-week period, wherein the feasibility, test-retest reliability, coefficients of variation, and linear mixed models with random effects of these three self-tests were determined. Forty-nine subjects (mean age 76.1 years [SD: 4.0], 19 females [42%]) completed the study without adverse effects. Compared with the other self-tests, MSL gave the most often (77.6%) valid measurement results and had the best intraclass correlation coefficients (0.95 [95% confidence interval: 0.91−0.97]). MSL and GS gave no significant training effect, whereas CT did show a significant training effect (p < .01). Community-dwelling older adults can perform MSL safely, correctly, and reliably, and GS safely and reliably. Further research is needed to study the responsiveness and beneficial effects of these self-tests on self-management of mobility and fall risk.

scholarly journals 88 Prospective Association of Obesity and Falls among Malaysian Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Sheng Hui Kioh ◽  
Sumaiyah Mat ◽  
Phyo Myint ◽  
Shahrul B Kamaruzzaman ◽  
Maw Pin Tan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Percentage Body Fat ◽  
Waist Hip Ratio ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Prospective Association ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background Cross-sectional studies linking the association between obesity and falls are limited and their results are somewhat conflicting. The inconsistent evidence between obesity and falls could be explained by the utilization of different measures of obesity including BMI, WC, waist hip ratio (WHR) and percentage body fat (%BF) in different studies. Aims To examine the prospective association between various measures of obesity and falls among community-dwelling older adults. Methods We utilized data from the wave 1 and wave 2 of the Malaysian Elder’s Longitudinal Research Study (MELoR). Basic demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle factors and falls history in preceding 12 months was recorded by computer assisted questionnaire in participant’s home while anthropometric measurements, body composition assessments and physical performance were collected at the hospital during a hospital check-up at baseline. The main exposure variables were increased body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and percentage body fat (%BF) and the main outcome was self-report falls in the preceding 12 months at time of follow-up. Results Among 746 participants at baseline and follow-up (mean age 68.9 ± 7.3 years, old, 56.7% women), 150(20.1%) individuals had ≥1 time of fall at follow-up. No differences in mean age and proportion of men and women among fallers and non-fallers. However, fallers were found to have higher WHR, lower percentage muscle mass and performed poorer in physical performance (p-value&lt;0.01). Of the four obesity indicators, higher WHR at baseline was associated with increased risk of fall 12 months later even after adjustment for all potential confounders (aOR= 2.01; 95%CI= 1.26-3.18). Conclusions In conclusion, our findings suggest that WHR is the measure of adiposity most likely to differentiate fallers from non-fallers prospectively. Future studies should evaluate the mechanisms underlying the increased risk of falls associated with increased WHR.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document