@article{ref1,
title="Predicting value of nine-item Berg balance scale among the aged: a 3-year prospective follow-up study",
journal="Experimental aging research",
year="2016",
author="Hohtari-Kivimäki, Ulla and Salminen, Marika and Vahlberg, Tero and Kivelä, Sirkka-Liisa",
volume="42",
number="2",
pages="151-160",
abstract="BACKGROUND/STUDY CONTEXT: The aim was to assess the predicting value of the nine-item Berg Balance Scale (BBS-9) for falls among the community-dwelling aged. <br><br>METHODS: The participants (N = 298) were divided according to BBS-9 (range: 0-36) into those scoring 0-32 sum points (risk group [RG]; n = 158) and those scoring 33-36 (non-risk group [non-RG]; n = 140). Falls were recorded by fall diaries, which subjects were asked to mail to the research assistants (RAs) monthly during the 12-month follow-up. The occurrences of falls requiring treatment were collected from the health center and hospital registers during the 12- and 36-month follow-ups. <br><br>RESULTS: During the 12-month follow-up, 271 falls (171 in RG and 100 in non-RG) and 29 falls requiring treatment (22 in RG and 7 in non-RG) occurred. During 36 months, there were 98 falls that required treatment (72 in RG and 26 in non-RG). The incidence of falls was higher in RG compared with non-RG (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-2.01) during the 12-month follow-up (p < .001). Also, the incidence of falls requiring treatment was significantly higher in RG than in non-RG during 12 months (IRR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.20-6.59; p = .017) and 36 months (IRR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.63-4.01; p < .001). <br><br>CONCLUSION: BBS-9 with a cutoff score of 32/33 is an applicable tool for predicting risk of falls among the community-dwelling aged. Future studies are needed to assess the predicting value of BBS-9 among different age groups in the elderly population.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0361-073X",
doi="10.1080/0361073X.2016.1132881",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0361073X.2016.1132881"
}