Tag: falls

Prognostic efficacy of Berg Balance Test in assessing the risk of fall in patients after stroke

Waldemar Brola, Małgorzata Fudala, Jan Czernicki

Waldemar Brola, Małgorzata Fudala, Jan Czernicki – Prognostic efficacy of Berg Balance Test in assessing the risk of fall in patients after stroke. Fizjoterapia Polska 2009; 9(1); 31-38

Abstract
Background. The risk of fali within the first year after a cerebral stroke amounts to approximately 40%. Numerous attempts have been made to propose a simple, yet sensitive and specific test to facilitate effective identification of patients at a particularly high risk of fall. The present study therefore aimed to assess the risk of fall among post-stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation with the Berg Test (Berg Functional Balance Scale). Material and methods. A total of 312 patients treated initially at the Stroke Ward and later at the Department of Physical Rehabilitation and attending the Vascular Disease Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital in Końskie in 2004 were followed up over 12 months. Each patient was assessed during the initial rehabilitation period and then allocated to one of four risk groups depending on his/her score in the Berg Test. Every subsequent fali was recorded together with a brief description of any consequences. Results. 119 patients (35%) fell at least once during the 12-month period, with 36 (11.5%) sustaining serious injuries as a result. The majority of the falls (78 patients) occurred in Berg Group IV (highest risk) patients, who also sustained multiple falls and the most serious consequences. The respective number of incidents in the other groups was 24 falls in Group III, 15 falls in Group II, and only 2 falls in Group I. Conclusions. The Berg Test appears to be a simple, reliable and sensitive instrument for identifying patients most at risk of sustaining an accidental fali. Ensuring particular care for those patients may help them avoid serious consequences of falls and enhance overall rehabilitation outcomes.
Key words:
stroke, falls, risk factors, Berg Balance Scale
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Assessment of potential risk factors for falls in osteoporotic elderly versus individual mobility considerations

Marek Żak, Szymon Krupnik, Wojciech Kiebzak, Agnieszka Stopa, Joanna Czesak

M. Żak, S. Krupnik, W. Kiebzak, A. Stopa, J. Czesak – Assessment of potential risk factors for falls in osteoporotic elderly versus individual mobility considerations. FP 2014; 14(1); 36-40

Abstract

Background. Incidental falls are anxiously perceived by an increasing number of elderly persons as a clear symptom of ageing, potentially leading to permanent care-dependency.
Methods. The study population comprised 72 patients recruited from respective university clinic geriatric wards (aged 81- 95). A Timed UP & GO test (TUG) was applied (in line with Tinetti POMA protocol), to assess an individual risk of fall. Group I comprised the patients (48 women; x=84 years) who scored 14 seconds or more; Group II – the patients who scored 13.5 seconds or less (24 women; x=82 years).
Results.  When completing Tinetti (POMA) test, Group I women (TUG test scores of 14 seconds and more) ultimately scored below 19 points, i.e. their risk of fall was assessed as 5-fold greater than in their Group II peers (TUG test scores of 13.5 seconds and less).
Consequently, statistical significance of the correlation coefficients between the TUG and Tinetti (POMA) test scores was established as p < 0.05. In Group I (TUG > 14 s) this correlation coefficient was negative and equaled r = -0.74, whereas in Group II (TUG < 13.5 s) it was (r = -0.62).
Conclusions. The TUG test makes up an effective diagnostic instrument for assessing a potential risk of fall (i.e. identify potential fallers) and may therefore be applied as an effective screening test for this group of patients. Community dwellers of higher functional capabilities, despite the risks related to osteoporosis, are far less likely to sustain an accidental fall.

Key words:
geriatrics, falls, osteoporosis, functional capabilities, Timed UP & GO test

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