• Morag E Taylor, Stephen R Lord, Kim Delbaere, A Stefanie Mikolaizak, and Jacqueline C T Close.
• Falls and Balance Research Group, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.
• Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2012 Jan 1;34(3-4):181-9.

Background/AimsCognitively impaired older people are at twice the risk of falls compared to cognitively intact, with approximately 60% falling once or more per year. This study aimed to investigate sensorimotor and balance risk factors for falls in cognitively impaired older people.Methods177 community-dwelling older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination < 24, Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised < 83) were assessed using the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA). Falls were recorded prospectively for 12 months using monthly calendars with the assistance of carers.ResultsSeventy-one participants (43%) fell ≥2 times in the follow-up period. Impaired simple reaction time, postural sway, leaning balance and increased PPA fall risk score were significantly associated with multiple falls. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for the PPA model including tests of vision, proprioception, knee extension strength, reaction time, postural sway and leaning balance was 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.83).ConclusionThese findings indicate poor performance on physiological fall risk factors, particularly balance, increases the risk of falls in older cognitively impaired people.Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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