Relationships between falls, age, independence, balance, physical activity, and upper limb function in elderly Brazilians

Abstract

Background: Falls are the most serious and frequent household accidents occurring in the elderly; their prevention is important in decreasing morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. This study aimed to identify and correlate factors such as gender, level of independence in daily activities, balance, physical activity, and function of the upper limbs within the elderly population. Methods: This was a correlational and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. Forty-three elderly participants were selected from a Primary Health Care Unit in the city of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Collection instruments included a questionnaire, the Berg Balance Scale, the Functional Independence Measure, and the Box and Blocks Test. Data were analysed using Pearson correlation. Results: Most participants were women (46.5%) between 60 and 70 years old being 58% of the sample. The total number of falls for older women was 31. The number of falls increased proportionally with the increasing age of the participant (r = 0.41) (p = 0.0063). The greater the number of falls, the lower the performance in balance (r = −0.47) (p = 0.0015) and independence (r = −0.63) (p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: This study resulted in evidence that can strengthen the development of preventative strategies, focusing on physical activity and its importance in the prevention of falls.

Keywords:

• falls prevention
• occupational therapy
• risk of falls

Public Interest Statement

Falls are the most serious and frequent household accidents occurring in the elderly; their prevention is important in decreasing morbidity, mortality, and medical costs works. This article describes some of the variables effects of falls, based on data gathered via Primary Health Care Unit in the city of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. It was found the number of falls increased proportionally with the increasing age of the elderly. The greater the number of falls, the lower the performance in balance and independence was. Understanding these effects can improve and strengthen future development of preventative strategies, focusing on physical activity and its importance in prevention against falls.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interest.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daniel Marinho Cezar da Cruz

The paper is part of a research group from Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Department of Occupational Therapy.

Daniel Marinho Cezar da Cruz is an occupational therapist and an adjunct professor in Department of Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Brazil. His researches focus in activities of daily life, assistive technology and motor skills development.

Tatiane de Carvalho Lima

Tatiane de Carvalho Lima is a student of the Occupational Therapy undergraduate course, CCBS, UFSCar, São Carlos, Brasil.

Lauren Jane Nock

Lauren Jane Nock is an occupational therapy graduate with a BSc (Hons) from School of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom.

Mirela de Oliveira Figueiredo

Mirela de Oliveira Figueiredo is an occupational therapist and has a Ph.D. in Special Education (Federal University of San Carlos-UFSCAR). The author is an adjunct professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCAR).

Debora Caires Paulisso

Debora Caires Paulisso is a master in Occupational Therapy in the Department of Occupational Therapy, CCBS, UFSCar, São Carlos, Brasil.