TY - JOUR PY - 2017// TI - The association between fall history and physical performance tests in the community-dwelling elderly: a cross-sectional analysis JO - Annals of rehabilitation medicine A1 - Kim, Jin Chul A1 - Chon, Jinmann A1 - Kim, Hee Sang A1 - Lee, Jong Ha A1 - Yoo, Seung Don A1 - Kim, Dong Hwan A1 - Lee, Seung Ah A1 - Han, Yoo Jin A1 - Lee, Hyun Seok A1 - Lee, Bae Youl A1 - Soh, Yun Soo A1 - Won, Chang Won SP - 239 EP - 247 VL - 41 IS - 2 N2 - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between baseline characteristics, three physical performance tests and fall history in a sample of the elderly from Korean population.

METHODS: A total of 307 participants (mean age, 76.70±4.85 years) were categorized into one of two groups, i.e., fallers and non-fallers. Fifty-two participants who had reported falling unexpectedly at least once in the previous 12 months were assigned to the fallers group. Physical performance tests included Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test. The differences between the two study groups were compared and we analyzed the correlations between fall histories and physical performance tests.

RESULTS: SPPB demonstrated a significant association with fall history. Although the BBS total scores did not show statistical significance, two dynamic balance test items of BBS (B12 and B13) showed a significant association among fallers.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that SPPB and two dynamic balance test items of the BBS can be used in screening for risk of falls in an ambulatory elderly population.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 2234-0645 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.2.239 ID - ref1 ER -