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Perceived Balance, Balance Performance, and Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study.

Hanne R DolanJanet PohlKeenan PituchDavid W Coon
Published in: Journal of aging and health (2024)
Objectives: To examine the extent to which older adults' perceived balance, a balance performance test, and fear of falling (FOF) were associated with falls in the last month. Methods: The Health Belief Model served as the theoretical framework. A retrospective, cross-sectional, secondary analysis using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study was conducted ( N = 7499). Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of reporting a fall in the past month were 3.3 times ( p < .001) greater for participants who self-reported having a balance problem compared to those who did not. The Short Physical Performance Battery and FOF were not uniquely associated with falls. Discussion: Our findings support limited evidence suggesting that older adults' perceived balance is a better predictor of falls than balance performance. Assessing older adults' perceived balance may be a new way to assess older adults' fall risk to prevent future falls.
Keyphrases
  • physical activity
  • mental health
  • social support
  • depressive symptoms
  • cross sectional
  • healthcare
  • community dwelling
  • public health
  • emergency department
  • machine learning
  • big data
  • data analysis
  • prefrontal cortex