The Balance and the Mind study: baseline data

van der Wardt, Veronika; Logan, Pip; Booth, Victoria; Hood, Victoria; Masud, Tahir; Harwood, Rowan H.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to establish falls risk factors for people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia.
METHODS: Survey of 76 people recruited from Memory Clinics (n=56), Falls Services (n=12), Community Geriatricians (n=4), Cognitive Stimulation Therapy groups (n=2), and a Rehabilitation Unit (n=2). The assessments included falls risk, the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FESi), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as well as neuropsychological tests.
RESULTS: Mean age was 80.9 years (SD 6.5, age range: 67-94 years). The sample included 45% men, 98% had a white ethnic background and 48% lived alone. Mean MoCA score was 20.95 (SD 3.6), and 26 people (34%) had between 1 and 24 falls (mean 3.04; SD 4.65). Regarding any fall participants had in the past, 41% sustained an injury, 36% needed medical attention and 32% had been admitted to hospital as a consequence of a fall.
The mean FESi score was 27 (SD 10.6) with 59% scoring >23, which is associated with a high fear of falling. The mean Timed Up and Go score was 16.0 seconds with 44% scoring ?13.5 seconds, which is associated with high risk of falling. The mean Berg Balance score was 46 with 28% scoring ?40, which is associated with a 100% chance of future falls. All assessments were acceptable to the particpants.
CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of falls and falls risk factors was quite high in this population, which reflects findings from similar studies. Specialized falls prevention intervention should take these factors into account.

Citation

van der Wardt, V., Logan, P., Booth, V., Hood, V., Masud, T., & Harwood, R. H. (2015). The Balance and the Mind study: baseline data. European Geriatric Medicine, 6(1), Article S55. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1878-7649%2815%2930190-X

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 1, 2015
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jun 27, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 27, 2017
• Journal: European Geriatric Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1878-7649
• Electronic ISSN: 18787649
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: S55
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1878-7649%2815%2930190-X
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/758246
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187876491530190X?via%3Dihub#