A Study of Factors that Predict Falls in Community-dwelling Pre-frail Elderly:Follow-up of 2 Years

• Published in: Rigakuryoho Kagaku Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 335 - 341
• Main Authors: KUBOTA, Tomohiro, TAKATA, Yu, NAKAMURA, Shigemi, SHIRAISHI, Hideki, IWAI, Koichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Society of Physical Therapy Science 29-04-2016
• Subjects: executive function; mental function; pre-frail elderly
• ISSN: 1341-1667; 2434-2807
• DOI: 10.1589/rika.31.335

[Purpose] We conducted a longitudinal study of the pre-frail elderly, who have a high risk of falls, and examined in detail one of the factors, falls, which is one of the causes leading to need-of-care status. [Subjects] The subjects were 585 community-dwelling elderly. [Methods] Over a 2-year period, a survey was conducted by mail of fall incidents and factors of falls of the 585 persons, who were judged to be pre-frail elderly. [Results] Factors predicting falls were a reduction in nutritional status and a decline in the sense of fulfillment. In addition, money management and fatigue levels were also revealed to be predictors. [Conclusion] The results suggest that for fall prevention among the pre-frail elderly, not only motor function, but also executive function and mental function are involved in the performance of higher levels of activity.