CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
The most recent articles from:
CMAJ
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Comparative Study
Prevalence of and factors associated with head impact during falls in older adults in long-term care.
Falls cause more than 60% of head injuries in older adults. Lack of objective evidence on the circumstances of these events is a barrier to prevention. We analyzed video footage to determine the frequency of and risk factors for head impact during falls in older adults in 2 long-term care facilities. ⋯ Head impact was common in observed falls in older adults living in long-term care facilities, particularly in forward falls. Backward rotation during descent appeared to be protective, but hand impact was not. Attention to upper-limb strength and teaching rotational falling techniques (as in martial arts training) may reduce fall-related head injuries in older adults.