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Title:	Fall characteristics and sociodemographic, physical and cognitive-related fall risk factors: a comparison between older adult fallers with and without mild cognitive impairment
Authors:	Heaw Yu Chi (P90373)
Supervisor:	Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh, Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Keywords:	Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia -- Dissertations Dissertations, Academic -- Malaysia Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Issue Date:	22-Nov-2021
Description:	Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a known fall risk factor in older adults. However, fall characteristics and sociodemographic, physical and cognitive fall risk factors in older fallers with and without MCI have not been adequately characterised. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the differences between older fallers with and without MCI regarding fall characteristics (location and fall precipitating factors) and sociodemographic, physical and cognitive-related fall risk factors. A total of 53 (58% female) fallers aged 60 and above (76.53±6.59) were assessed from the University of Malaya Medical Centre Falls Clinic. The Visual Cognitive Assessment Tool (VCAT) was used to categorise older adults into 2 groups – with MCI and non-MCI (cut-off score ≥23). The sociodemographic data and fall characteristics of the participants were obtained using a customised structured questionnaire. The 15-Item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Activities-specific Balance Confidence 6-Item Scale (ABC-6), and Modified Baecke Questionnaire were used to assess depression symptoms, balance confidence and physical activity respectively as confounding factors. Physical and cognitive function was measured using an adapted version of the Senior Fitness Test and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). The MCI group (n=26) was found to be older (78.72±5.96 vs 74.61±7.17 years) and have lower balance confidence (40.70±26.32 vs 57.98±20.40) than the non-MCI group, where both were significant (p<0.05). A higher number of the non-MCI group lived alone (88.9% vs 11.1%), while only the MCI group lived with a caregiver. Falls in the MCI group was most often within the home (8% more than non-MCI), while the non-MCI group was outside their homes (16% more than MCI). The non-MCI group tripped more frequently than the MCI group (80% more than MCI). Balance (17.28±9.91 vs 9.54±2.10 seconds), attention and processing speed (361.98±69.54 vs 307.98±38.10 milliseconds), and working memory (highest quartile 12.5% vs 87.5%) scores of the MCI group were significantly (p<0.05) lower than the non-MCI group. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences between the groups in upper and lower body muscle strength, flexibility, and aerobic endurance after controlling for age and balance confidence. The findings of this study suggest that older fallers with MCI are affected not only cognitively, but also physically and psychologically more than fallers without MCI. Fall prevention strategies for fallers with MCI requires a multifaceted approach which target balance confidence and a combination of balance and cognitive training emphasising on attention and processing speed and working memory.,Ijazah Sarjana Sains Kesihatan (Fisioterapi)
Pages:	124
Publisher:	UKM, Kuala Lumpur
Appears in Collections:	Faculty of Health Sciences / Fakulti Sains Kesihatan

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