Citation

Yang Y, Mackey DC, Liu-Ambrose T, Leung PM, Feldman F, Robinovitch SN. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2016; 32(3): 168-177.

Affiliation

Technology for Injury Prevention in Seniors (TIPS) Program (Drs Yang, Feldman, and Robinovitch and Ms Leung), Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology (Drs Yang, Mackey, Feldman, and Robinovitch), and School of Engineering Science (Dr Robinovitch), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Robert H. N. Ho Research Centre (Drs Yang, Mackey, Liu-Ambrose, and Robinovitch), and Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Liu-Ambrose), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Dr Liu-Ambrose); and Primary Care, Chronic Disease Management & Specialized Seniors, Fraser Health Authority, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada (Ms Leung and Dr Feldman).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0000000000000257

PMID

27603766

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine risk factors associated with head impact during falls in older adults in long-term care (LTC). SETTING: Two LTC facilities in British Columbia, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: 160 LTC residents.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. MAIN MEASURES: Between 2007 and 2014, we video captured 520 falls experienced by participants. Each fall video was analyzed to determine whether impact occurred to the head. Using generalized estimating equation models, we examined how head impact was associated with other fall characteristics and health status prior to the fall.

RESULTS: Head impact occurred in 33% of falls. Individuals with mild cognitive impairment were at higher risk for head impact (odds ratio = 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-5.0) than those with more severe cognitive impairment. Impaired vision was associated with 2.0-fold (1.3-3.0) higher odds of head impact. Women were 2.2 times (1.4-3.3) more likely than men to impact their head during a fall.

CONCLUSION: Head impact is common during falls in LTC, with less cognitively impaired, female residents who suffered from visual impairment, being most likely to impact their head. Future research should focus on improving our ability to detect neural consequences of head impact and evaluating the effect of interventions for reducing the risk for fall-related head injuries in LTC.

Language: en