http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/10/1/7/abstract
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Gait variables derived from trunk accelerometry may predict the risk of falls; however,
their associations with falls are not fully understood. The purpose of the study was
to determine which gait variables derived from upper and lower trunk accelerometry
are associated with the incidence of falls, and to compare the discriminative ability
of gait variables and physical performance.
Methods
This study was a 1-year prospective study. Older people (n = 73) walked normally while
wearing accelerometers attached to the upper and lower trunk. Participants were classified
as fallers (n = 16) or non-fallers (n = 57) based on the incidence of falls over 1
year. The harmonic ratio (HR) of the upper and lower trunk was measured. Physical
performance was measured in five chair stands and in the timed up and go test.
Results
The HR of the upper and lower trunk were consistently lower in fallers than non-fallers
(P < 0.05). Upper trunk HR, was independently associated with the incidence of falls
(P < 0.05) after adjusting for confounding factors including physical performances.
Consequently, upper trunk HR showed high discrimination for the risk of falls (AUC
= 0.81).
Conclusions
HR derived from upper trunk accelerometry may predict the risk of falls, independently
of physical performance. The discriminative ability of HR for the risk of falls may
have some validity, and further studies are needed to confirm the clinical relevance
of trunk HR.
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