Background: Stroke survivors often have persistent neural deficits related to motor function and sensation, which increase their risk of falling, most of which occurs at home or in community settings. The use of wearable technology to monitor fall risk and gait in stroke survivors may prove useful in enhancing recovery and/or preventing injuries. Objective: Determine the feasibility of using wearable technology (PAMSys (TM)) to objectively monitor fall risk and gait in home and community settings in stroke survivors. Methods: In this feasibility study, we used the PAMSys to identify fall risk indicators (postural transitions: duration in seconds, and number of unsuccessful attempts), and gait (steps, speed, duration) for 48 hours during usual daily activities in stroke survivors (n=10) compared to age-matched controls (n=10). A questionnaire assessed device acceptability. Results: Stroke survivors mean age was 70 +/- 8 years old, were mainly Caucasian (60%) women (70%), and not significantly different than the age-matched controls (all P-values >0.20). Stroke survivors (100%) reported that the device was comfortable to wear, didn't interfere with everyday activities, and were willing to wear it for another 48 hours. None reported any difficulty with the device while sleeping, removing/putting back on for showering or changing clothes. When compared to controls, stroke survivors had significantly worse fall risk indicators and walked less (P<0.05). Conclusion: Stroke survivors reported high acceptability of 48 hours of continuous PAMSys monitoring. The use of in-home wearable technology may prove useful in monitoring fall risk and gait in stroke survivors, potentially enhancing recovery.

No decorrer do processo de envelhecimento há uma diminuição das habilidades físicas, psicológicas e sociais na pessoa o que aumenta o risco de sofrer de múltiplas síndromes, uma delas é a queda. O presente estudo é analítico, observacional de coorte retrospectivo com o objetivo de determinar a prevalência de queda em um seguimento de cinco anos em duas avaliações (2007/2008 - 2013) de idosos que vivem no domicílio e a sua relação com as variáveis sociodemográficas, doenças autorreferidas, número de medicamentos, estado cognitivo, síndrome da fragilidade e capacidade funcional. A pesquisa foi realizada na cidade de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, com população de idosos com 65 anos ou mais de idade. A amostra foi por conglomerado em duplo estágio sendo a amostra final de 515 idosos, sendo que a primeira etapa ocorreu de agosto de 2007 a março de 2008 e a segunda realizada de julho a dezembro de 2013. O instrumento utilizado para a coleta de dados foi composto por questões sociodemográficas; doenças autorreferidas e número de medicamentos; Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM); avaliação da queda; Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS); Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF) e Escala de Lawton e Brody (AIVD). Foram pareadas as informações dos 262 idosos, sendo que houve predomínio do sexo feminino (66,4%), média da idade de 73,3 (dp=6,3) anos sendo que 56,9% foram categorizados como idoso mais jovem (70 - 79 anos), média de escolaridade de 5,0 (dp=4,9) anos e 49,2% eram casados. Verificou-se que em ambas as avaliações, o estado cognitivo diminuiu de 24,87 para 22,90 pontos com aumento do déficit cognitivo de 44,7 para 58,4%. Nas AIVD a média também diminuiu de 19,41 para 17,39 pontos, aumentando a dependência funcional de 44,7% para 66,1%. Quanto a MIF, a média diminui de 120,33 para 112,49 pontos com aumento da dependência de 4,2% para 15%. Verificou-se que a média da fragilidade aumentou de 4,16 para 6,53 pontos sendo que a categoria fragilidade aumentou de 17,5% para 50,4%. Por outro lado, a média das doenças autorreferidas diminuiu de 5,63 para 5,16 dos quais tanto na primeira como na segunda avaliação 5,7% não sofrem de doenças mas na primeira avaliação 46,2% sofrem mais de cinco doenças e na segunda 41,2%. Porém quanto ao consumo de medicamentos a média aumentou de 3,59 para 4,03, sendo que 22,5% na primeira avaliação consomem mais de cinco medicamentos e na segunda 28,6%. Em relação com o idoso que sofreu queda, na primeira avaliação 57 caíram e na segunda 99, a prevalência aumentou de 21,8% para 37,8%, sendo que em ambas as avaliações 82,5% e 73,7%, respectivamente, caíram da própria altura, trazendo consequências como fraturas, feridas e escoriações, além do medo de novas reincidências. Os idosos que sofreram queda apresentaram diminuição do estado cognitivo, maior fragilidade e incapacidade funcional com um aumento das doenças autorreferidas e número de medicamentos. Na associação da queda com as diferentes variáveis, verificou-se que no período do estudo, o número de doenças autorreferidas, o maior consumo de medicamentos e o aumento da fragilidade o idoso apresenta maior risco de queda. Conclui-se que a queda é uma síndrome que está relacionada com múltiplas causas (variáveis sociodemográficas e de saúde) o que leva a maior necessidade de implementar programas com planejamento para a prevenção de queda e suas consequências por meio da educação à população idosa e seus cuidadores / During the aging process there is a decrease in physical, psychological and social skills in the person which increases the risk of suffering from multiple syndromes, one of these are accidental fall. This study is analytical, observational retrospective cohort with the aim to determine the prevalence of accidental falls in a follow-up of five years in both assessments (2007/2008 - 2013) of elderly people living at home and their relationship to sociodemographic variables, self-reported diseases, number of medications, cognitive status, frailty syndrome and functional capacity. The research was conducted in the Ribeirão Preto city, São Paulo, in elderly people aged 65 or older. The sample by conglomerate in double stage with the final sample of 515 elderly people, on the first stage was from August 2007 to March 2008 and the second stage was from July to December 2013. The instrument used for data collection consists of sociodemographic questions; self-reported diseases and medications numbers; Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); evaluation of the accidental fall; Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS); Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Lawton and Brody Scale (IADL). They were matched information from 262 elderly, and there was a predominance of females (66.4%), mean of age 73.3 (sd = 6.3) years of which 56.9% were categorized as younger elderly (70-79 years), average schooling of 5.0 (sd = 4.9) years and 49.2% were married. It was found that in both assessments, the cognitive status declined from 24.87 to 22.90 points with increased cognitive deficit from 44.7 to 58.4%. IADL average also decreased from 19.41 to 17.39 points, increasing the functional dependence from 44.7% to 66.1%. The MIF average decreases from 120.33 to 112.49 points with increasing dependence from 4.2% to 15%. It was found that the frailty average increased from 4.16 to 6.53 points of which the category frailty increased from 17.5% to 50.4%. On the other hand, the average self-reported disease decreased from 5.63 to 5.16 which both the first and the second evaluation 5.7% did not suffer from diseases but in first evaluation suffered 46.2% over five diseases and second 41.2%. But with the consumption of drugs the average increased from 3.59 to 4.03, and 22.5% in the first evaluation consumed more than five drugs and the second 28.6%. In relation to the elderly who suffered fall, the first assessment fell 57 and the second 99, the prevalence increased from 21.8% to 37.8%, and in both evaluations 82.5% and 73.7%, respectively, fell from height, bringing consequences such as fractures, wounds and abrasions, and the fear of new falls. Elderly people who suffered falls had decreased cognitive status, increased frailty and functional impairment with an increase in self-reported diseases and number of medications. In the fall of association with different variables, it was found that during the study period, the number of self-reported diseases, the highest consumption of drugs and the increased frailty the elderly had a higher risk of falls. We conclude that the fall is a syndrome that is associated with multiple causes (socio-demographic and health variables) which leads to greater need to implement planning with programs for the prevention of fall and its consequences through education to the elderly and their caregivers

No decorrer do processo de envelhecimento há uma diminuição das habilidades físicas, psicológicas e sociais na pessoa o que aumenta o risco de sofrer de múltiplas síndromes, uma delas é a queda. O presente estudo é analítico, observacional de coorte retrospectivo com o objetivo de determinar a prevalência de queda em um seguimento de cinco anos em duas avaliações (2007/2008 - 2013) de idosos que vivem no domicílio e a sua relação com as variáveis sociodemográficas, doenças autorreferidas, número de medicamentos, estado cognitivo, síndrome da fragilidade e capacidade funcional. A pesquisa foi realizada na cidade de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, com população de idosos com 65 anos ou mais de idade. A amostra foi por conglomerado em duplo estágio sendo a amostra final de 515 idosos, sendo que a primeira etapa ocorreu de agosto de 2007 a março de 2008 e a segunda realizada de julho a dezembro de 2013. O instrumento utilizado para a coleta de dados foi composto por questões sociodemográficas; doenças autorreferidas e número de medicamentos; Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM); avaliação da queda; Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS); Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF) e Escala de Lawton e Brody (AIVD). Foram pareadas as informações dos 262 idosos, sendo que houve predomínio do sexo feminino (66,4%), média da idade de 73,3 (dp=6,3) anos sendo que 56,9% foram categorizados como idoso mais jovem (70 - 79 anos), média de escolaridade de 5,0 (dp=4,9) anos e 49,2% eram casados. Verificou-se que em ambas as avaliações, o estado cognitivo diminuiu de 24,87 para 22,90 pontos com aumento do déficit cognitivo de 44,7 para 58,4%. Nas AIVD a média também diminuiu de 19,41 para 17,39 pontos, aumentando a dependência funcional de 44,7% para 66,1%. Quanto a MIF, a média diminui de 120,33 para 112,49 pontos com aumento da dependência de 4,2% para 15%. Verificou-se que a média da fragilidade aumentou de 4,16 para 6,53 pontos sendo que a categoria fragilidade aumentou de 17,5% para 50,4%. Por outro lado, a média das doenças autorreferidas diminuiu de 5,63 para 5,16 dos quais tanto na primeira como na segunda avaliação 5,7% não sofrem de doenças mas na primeira avaliação 46,2% sofrem mais de cinco doenças e na segunda 41,2%. Porém quanto ao consumo de medicamentos a média aumentou de 3,59 para 4,03, sendo que 22,5% na primeira avaliação consomem mais de cinco medicamentos e na segunda 28,6%. Em relação com o idoso que sofreu queda, na primeira avaliação 57 caíram e na segunda 99, a prevalência aumentou de 21,8% para 37,8%, sendo que em ambas as avaliações 82,5% e 73,7%, respectivamente, caíram da própria altura, trazendo consequências como fraturas, feridas e escoriações, além do medo de novas reincidências. Os idosos que sofreram queda apresentaram diminuição do estado cognitivo, maior fragilidade e incapacidade funcional com um aumento das doenças autorreferidas e número de medicamentos. Na associação da queda com as diferentes variáveis, verificou-se que no período do estudo, o número de doenças autorreferidas, o maior consumo de medicamentos e o aumento da fragilidade o idoso apresenta maior risco de queda. Conclui-se que a queda é uma síndrome que está relacionada com múltiplas causas (variáveis sociodemográficas e de saúde) o que leva a maior necessidade de implementar programas com planejamento para a prevenção de queda e suas consequências por meio da educação à população idosa e seus cuidadores / During the aging process there is a decrease in physical, psychological and social skills in the person which increases the risk of suffering from multiple syndromes, one of these are accidental fall. This study is analytical, observational retrospective cohort with the aim to determine the prevalence of accidental falls in a follow-up of five years in both assessments (2007/2008 - 2013) of elderly people living at home and their relationship to sociodemographic variables, self-reported diseases, number of medications, cognitive status, frailty syndrome and functional capacity. The research was conducted in the Ribeirão Preto city, São Paulo, in elderly people aged 65 or older. The sample by conglomerate in double stage with the final sample of 515 elderly people, on the first stage was from August 2007 to March 2008 and the second stage was from July to December 2013. The instrument used for data collection consists of sociodemographic questions; self-reported diseases and medications numbers; Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); evaluation of the accidental fall; Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS); Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Lawton and Brody Scale (IADL). They were matched information from 262 elderly, and there was a predominance of females (66.4%), mean of age 73.3 (sd = 6.3) years of which 56.9% were categorized as younger elderly (70-79 years), average schooling of 5.0 (sd = 4.9) years and 49.2% were married. It was found that in both assessments, the cognitive status declined from 24.87 to 22.90 points with increased cognitive deficit from 44.7 to 58.4%. IADL average also decreased from 19.41 to 17.39 points, increasing the functional dependence from 44.7% to 66.1%. The MIF average decreases from 120.33 to 112.49 points with increasing dependence from 4.2% to 15%. It was found that the frailty average increased from 4.16 to 6.53 points of which the category frailty increased from 17.5% to 50.4%. On the other hand, the average self-reported disease decreased from 5.63 to 5.16 which both the first and the second evaluation 5.7% did not suffer from diseases but in first evaluation suffered 46.2% over five diseases and second 41.2%. But with the consumption of drugs the average increased from 3.59 to 4.03, and 22.5% in the first evaluation consumed more than five drugs and the second 28.6%. In relation to the elderly who suffered fall, the first assessment fell 57 and the second 99, the prevalence increased from 21.8% to 37.8%, and in both evaluations 82.5% and 73.7%, respectively, fell from height, bringing consequences such as fractures, wounds and abrasions, and the fear of new falls. Elderly people who suffered falls had decreased cognitive status, increased frailty and functional impairment with an increase in self-reported diseases and number of medications. In the fall of association with different variables, it was found that during the study period, the number of self-reported diseases, the highest consumption of drugs and the increased frailty the elderly had a higher risk of falls. We conclude that the fall is a syndrome that is associated with multiple causes (socio-demographic and health variables) which leads to greater need to implement planning with programs for the prevention of fall and its consequences through education to the elderly and their caregivers

Abstract High age is a distinguished risk factor of falling, but there remains gaps in epidemiological data among very old people. Also, effects of exercise-oriented intervention implemented by geriatric teams is not known. The aims were to describe the incidence and risk factors of falls, the risk of fall-related injuries associated with physical activity, and to investigate the effect of pragmatic exercise intervention on fall risk among a home-dwelling population aged 85 years and older. The target population consisted of home-dwelling citizens of Oulu aged 85 years or more (N = 827). Altogether 555 people (mean age 88 SD ± 3), representing 67% of the population sample, were evaluated by interviews and clinical assessments. Falls and physical activity were monitored via telephone nine times during a 27-month follow-up constituting 1114 person years. Risk factors of falls were determined during an 11-month period before intervention, as were the effects of the intervention during a 16-month period thereafter. Negative binomial regression, pooled logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were used to analyze data. The incidence rates of falls, major soft tissue injuries and fractures were 1039 (95% CI 974–1093), 74 (58–92) and 89 (72–108), respectively. The probability of getting injured was higher in the morning and evening than in the daytime. The contribution of the ongoing activity and the type of falling to the risk of injury was less than that previously reported among younger home-dwellers. The risk factors of falls were a history of recurrent falling, trouble with vision when moving, use of an antipsychotic drug, and feelings of anxiety, nervousness or fear. Exercise other than walking was associated with a reduced risk of injury-causing falls. Pragmatic intervention wasn’t effective in preventing falls, but it was effective in preserving balance performance. Among those with better functional abilities, intervention was effective in reducing the risk of the first four falls. Adherence to recommended interventions was relatively low. In conclusion, the frequency of falls and fall-related fractures increases up to the highest ages. Anxiety-related disorders may be more important risk factors of falls than are drugs commonly used in treatment. Exercise related to everyday activities is safe among the most elderly. The effects of practical exercise intervention are promising, but attention needs to be paid to adherence to exercise in order to improve these effects.

IntroductionLes chutes et les blessures dues aux chutes représentent un véritable enjeu de santé publique. Les programmes d’exercices physiques axés sur l’équilibre permettent de réduire de 30 à 40% le taux de chutes chez les personnes âgées vivant à leur domicile. Cependant, leur efficacité sur la prévention des traumatismes dus aux chutes n’a pas été établie.Ce travail comporte 2 parties :- Une revue systématique de la littérature et méta-analyse des résultats d’essais contrôlés randomisés (ECR) qui évaluent l’efficacité de l’exercice sur différents types de chutes traumatiques chez les personnes âgées en milieu communautaire. - L’analyse des données de l’ECR multicentrique ‘Ossébo’, qui évalue l’efficacité d’un programme d’exercice physique de prévention de chutes traumatiques chez des femmes âgées.MéthodesRevue systématiqueDes recherches bibliographiques ont été effectuées pour repérer les ECR de prévention des chutes par l’exercice physique, réalisés chez des personnes âgées vivant à leur domicile, et présentant des données sur les chutes traumatiques.Ensuite, on a regroupé les définitions des chutes traumatiques trouvées dans les études sélectionnées en 4 catégories :A/ avec conséquence.B/ avec recours à des soins médicaux. C/ ayant entraîné un traumatisme grave.D/ avec fracture.On a réalisé une méta-analyse (MA) pour chaque catégorie, donc on a calculé un effet global (effet poolé) de l’exercice correspondant au ratio des taux d’incidence dans les 2 groupes par un modèle à effet aléatoire.L’essai OsséboLes participantes à l’essai sont des femmes âgées de 75 à 85 ans, vivant à leur domicile, et ayant des capacités physiques diminuées. Au total, 706 femmes, dans 20 centres en France, ont été randomisées en 2 groupes : le groupe intervention (GI), et le groupe contrôle (GC).L’intervention comprend des ateliers hebdomadaires d’exercice en petits groupes pendant 2 ans, et des exercices au domicile.La survenue de chutes a été enregistrée à l’aide des cartes-calendriers. Les circonstances et les conséquences de la chute étaient demandées en cas de signalement d’une chute, afin de classer la chute (sans conséquence, traumatisme modéré, traumatisme grave).Des bilans ont été effectués à 1 an et 2 ans après l’inclusion, selon le même protocole que le bilan initial, qui comprenait notamment des tests fonctionnels simples.Le critère principal est le taux d’incidence des ‘chutes traumatiques’ (modérée et graves). Des modèles à fragilité (modèles de survie avec un effet aléatoire) ont été utilisés pour modéliser ce taux dans les 2 groupes.L’évolution au cours du temps des capacités physiques, et d’autres facteurs ont été comparés grâce à un modèle marginal avec un effet aléatoire au niveau du centre.RésultatsRevue systématique17 essais totalisant 4305 participants ont été sélectionnés. Toutes les interventions évaluées comprenaient des exercices de l’équilibre. Les résultats de la MA montrent que l’exercice est associé à une réduction du taux de chutes traumatiques dans chacune des catégories considérées, avec un effet poolé de 0.63 (IC95% : 0.51-0.77) pour la catégorie A(10 essais). Le RaR poolé était de 0.70 (0.54-0.92) pour la catégorie B (8 essais), de 0.57 (0.36-0.90) pour la catégorie C (7 essais), et de 0.39 (IC 95% : 0.22-0.66) pour la catégorie C (6 essais). L’essai OsséboOn a recensé 397 chutes traumatiques dans le GC, et 305 dans le GI, correspondant à une réduction significative de 19% du taux de chutes traumatiques (‘hazard ratios’ HR= 0.81 IC95% : (0.67 - 0.99). A 2 ans, les femmes du GI ont des performances significativement meilleures que les femmes du GC sur l’ensemble des tests physiquesDiscussionLes programmes d’exercice destinés à prévenir les chutes sont également efficaces pour réduire les traumatismes dus à la chute, y compris les plus graves. Aussi, il est possible de mettre en place à large échelle un programme efficace d’exercice de prévention des chutes traumatiques de longue durée chez des personnes âgées / Context: Exercise programmes can prevent falls in older community-dwellers. However, evidence that these programmes can also prevent injurious falls was poor.Objectives : Systematic review of evidence of the effect of exercise interventions on injurious fall prevention from randomised controlled trials (RCT).Evaluate the effectiveness of ‘Ossébo’, a multi-centre RCT assessing the effectiveness of a 2-year injurious fall prevention balance training programme.Methods:Systematic reviewThe definitions of injurious falls from included studies were classified into more homogeneous categories. This allowed the estimation of a pooled rate ratio for each injurious falls category based on random effects models. Ossébo trial706 women aged 75-85 years ; home-living with diminished functional capacities were included. The 2 groups were compared for rates of injurious falls with a frailty model. Other outcomes included physical functional capacities, and quality of life indicators. Results:Systematic review17 trials involving 4305 participants were included. Four categories were identified: all injurious falls, falls resulting in medical care, severe injurious falls, and falls resulting in fractures. Exercise had a significant preventive effect in all categories.OsséboThere were 305 injurious falls in the intervention group and 397 in the control group, for a HR of 0.81 (0.67 to 0.99). At 2 years, women in the intervention group had significantly better performances on all physical tests and a better perception of their overall physical function. Conclusion:Fall prevention exercise programmes are effective in preventing injurious falls, and are feasible for long-term, wide-spread dissemination