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Validating a Multifactorial Algorithm to Predict Fall Risk in Community Dwelling Older Persons Aged 65 Years or Older

Recruiting
Conditions
Aged 65 Years or Older
Community Dwelling Older Adults
Falls Risk
Falls (Accidents) in Old Age
Registration Number
NCT06961799
Lead Sponsor
University Ghent
Brief Summary

Falls in older adults have an annual incidence between 23 and 34% for persons of 65 years and older. The lack of transfer of promising research results on falls prevention to daily practice may have several explanations. One of the first concerns for that matter may be a valid and sensitive selection of the persons at risk who are eligible for fall prevention interventions

Goals of the prospective obeservational study:

1. To validate a new, comprehensive, multifactorial screeningsintrument to predict the risk on falls in community dwelling, Belgian, older adults (\>65years or older).

2. To optimize the new, comprehensive, multifactorial screeningsintrument and to specify correct cut off scores

Researchers will compare the data of the accuracy of new algorithm with the current Belgian policy.

Participants will participate in a one-time testing moment, where they will be asked some questions about general characteristics and medical history, followed by two questionnaire and seven physical tests . Based on this data, their fall risk will be assessed. In the year that follows, the older person's fall behavior will be monitored with a monthly falls calender. Participant will be asked to fill out these calenders everyday ('Did you fall today?' YES/NO) and send them at the end of each month to the researchers, digitally or postal.

Detailed Description

Two questionnaires:

1. Geriatric Depression Scale - 16

2. Falls Efficacy Scale - International

Seven physical tests:

1. Timed Up and Go

2. Times Up and Go with cognitive dual task (100 (repeatedly) minus 3)

3. Single Limb Stance

4. 5x Sit to Stand

5. 4meter Gait Speed

6. Tinetti

7. Four Balance Test

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
228
Inclusion Criteria
  • 65years or older
  • community dwellers
  • absence of surgery or exacerbation of symptoms in the last 6 months
  • ability to stand and walk independently (alone), possibly with an walking aid.
Exclusion Criteria
  • <65 years of age
  • surgery within the previous 6 months affecting gait and mobility
  • exacerbation of symptoms coming from a diagnosed disease
  • older adults with insufficient (language) comprehension to complete the tests and questionnaires

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of falls among Belgian, community dwelling older adults1 year

The number of falls measured with a monthly falls calender

Conducted analysis of integraded testsBaseline

Fall risk calculated with the new multifactorial algorithm based on:

* general, personal characteristics

* medical history

* physical measurements

* self reported questionnaires

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Executive cognitive capacityBaseline

Measured with the Timed Up and Go in combination with a cognitive dual task (100-3-3-3-...) (seconds)

Static BalanceBaseline

Measured with the 4 balance test

Static and dynamic balanceBaseline

Measured with the Tinetti: Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment

Fear of fallingBaseline

Measured with the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I)

DepressionBaseline

Measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-16)

Functional mobilityBaseline

Measured with the Timed Up and Go (seconds)

Strength of the lower limbsBaseline

Measured with the 5x Sit to Stand (second)

Gait speedBaseline

Measured with the 4m Gait Speed (m/s)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ghent University

🇧🇪

Ghent, Belgium

Ghent University
🇧🇪Ghent, Belgium
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