Balance provocation tests identify near falls in healthy community adults aged 40-75 years; an observational study

ABSTRACT

Background

Near falls, such as stumbles or slips without falling to the ground, are more common than falls and often lead to a fall.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to investigate which balance tests differentiate near fallers from fallers and non-fallers.

Methods

This cross-sectional, observational study assessed balance in healthy community dwelling adults aged 40–75 years. Participants reported falls and near falls in the previous 6 months. Balance testing was completed in the local community for static (i.e. feet together and single-leg stance) and dynamic balance (i.e. tandem walk, Functional Movement Screen hurdle step and lunge). Between-group comparative analysis of pass-fail for each balance test was undertaken.

Results

Of 627 participants, there were 99 fallers (15.8%), 121 near fallers (19.3%) and 407 non-fallers (64.9%). Near fallers were twice as likely as non-fallers to fail single-leg stance eyes (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5–4.9), five tandem steps (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5–5.7), hurdle step (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4–5.8), and lunge (OR 2.5. 95% CI 1.5–4.1). The predictive capacity differentiates near fallers with a sensitivity of 73.3%.

Discussion

A new battery of tests assessing static and dynamic balance identifies near fallers in seemingly healthy, community dwelling middle- and young-older-aged adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Postural balance
• falls
• near falls
• methods

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by internal grant funding from Flinders University and Aged Care Housing Group, South Australia, who co-fund Professor Sue Gordon. Partner organizations in local government and business for providing recruitment support and facilities for testing.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Flinders University [Internal Grant funding]; ACH Group [Internal funding].