Falls, fear of falling and falls risk in adults with cerebral palsy: A pilot observational study

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the frequency and consequences of falls in a group of adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and explore relationships between falls, falls risk, balance and fear of falling. In addition, this study will compare falls risk factors in those reporting falls and those not reporting falls. Method: Twenty-five ambulant community dwelling adults with CP (mean age 41 ± 9.3 years) participated in this pilot observational study. An evaluation of current mobility (walking speed), falls risk (Falls Risk for Older People – Community), balance (Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go) and fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale – International) was undertaken followed by prospective falls diary completion for 6 months. Major findings: Seventeen participants reported falls (range 1–75, mean 7.12 ± 18.5). Seven participants reported one fall, six participants reported two or three, and the remaining four reported more. Most falls (176 in total) resulted in no (122) or minor injury (). One fall-related fracture occurred. Fear of falling and falls risk did not differ between those who fell and those who did not fall (p > 0.05). Fear of falling was correlated with walking speed (r = − 0.511, p = 0.009) and Timed Up and Go performance (r = 0.493, p = 0.012). Principal conclusion: Some adults with CP may experience falls with elevated falls risk and adverse consequences. Current falls risk measures may have limited capacity to identify falls risk in adults with CP.

Key words::

• Ageing
• cerebral palsy
• falls
• falls efficacy
• risk factors

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to research assistant Claire Loosmore for her involvement in this project.

Conflicting interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This project was supported by a grant from the Physiotherapy Research Foundation–Patricia Cosh Grant to fund a research assistant.