Executive function predicts risk of falls in older adults without balance impairment

BMC Geriatrics

Jeffrey A Kaye³  Diane B Howieson²  Misha Pavel⁴  Tamara L Hayes⁴  Hiroko H Dodge³  Nora C Mattek³  Teresa J Buracchio¹ 

[1] Neurology Service, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239 USA;Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, CR-131, Portland, OR 97239 USA;Oregon Center for Aging & Technology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239 USA;Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, 3303 SW Bond Avenue, Portland, OR 97239 USA

Others  :  858206
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2318-11-74

 received in 2011-05-04, accepted in 2011-11-09,  发布年份 2011

【 摘 要 】

Background

Executive dysfunction has previously been found to be a risk factor for falls. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between executive dysfunction and risk of falling and to determine if this association is independent of balance.

Methods

Participants were 188 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 and older. All participants underwent baseline and annual evaluations with review of health history, standardized neurologic examination, neuropsychological testing, and qualitative and quantitative assessment of motor function. Falls were recorded prospectively using weekly online health forms.

Results

During 13 months of follow-up, there were 65 of 188 participants (34.6%) who reported at least one fall. Univariate analysis showed that fallers were more likely to have lower baseline scores in executive function than non-fallers (p = 0.03). Among participants without balance impairment we found that higher executive function z-scores were associated with lower fall counts (p = 0.03) after adjustment for age, sex, health status and prior history of falls using negative binomial regression models. This relationship was not present among participants with poor balance.

Conclusions

Lower scores on executive function tests are a risk factor for falls in participants with minimal balance impairment. However, this effect is attenuated in individuals with poor balance where physical or more direct motor systems factors may play a greater role in fall risk.

【 授权许可】

   
2011 Buracchio et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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