Table 2. Univariable logistic regression analyses, examining cognitive, psychological, sensorimotor, functional mobility, physical activity and health/disability measures as predictors of prospective falls (0 vs ≥1).
| Characteristic, n (%) or mean ± SD | Total | Non-fallers (0) n = 160 | Fallers (≥1) n = 106 | OR (95% CI) | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive function | |||||
| MMSE score | 265 | 28.2 (1.5) | 28.3 (1.5) | 1.06 [0.90–1.25] | 0.511 |
| TMT-A, s | 260 | 48.6 (16.8) | 49.5 (17.6) | 1.00 [0.99–1.02] | 0.675 |
| TMT-B, s | 258 | 143.2 (70.1) | 144.5 (57.1) | 1.00 [1.00–1.00] | 0.871 |
| TMT-B minus TMT-A, s | 258 | 94.6 (63.7) | 94.7 (52.4) | 1.00 [0.99–1.00] | 0.985 |
| FAS total responses | 265 | 33.5 (12.1) | 33.6 (11.1) | 1.00 [0.98–1.02] | 0.932 |
| Digit symbol total correct | 260 | 44.4 (11.1) | 45.0 (10.3) | 1.01 [0.98–1.03] | 0.648 |
| Logical memory immediate recall score | 266 | 9.5 (3.8) | 9.7 (4.1) | 1.01 [0.95–1.08] | 0.654 |
| Logical memory delayed recall score | 266 | 7.7 (3.9) | 7.7 (3.9) | 1.01 [0.95–1.07] | 0.845 |
| Psychological assessment | |||||
| GAS score | 259 | 1.1 (2.0) | 1.2 (2.1) | 1.03 [0.91–1.17] | 0.626 |
| GDS score | 263 | 1.9 (1.9) | 2.5 (2.0) | 1.19 [1.04–1.36] | 0.012 |
| FESI score | 266 | 22.7 (6.8) | 24.1 (7.6) | 1.03 [0.99–1.06] | 0.132 |
| Sensorimotor performance | |||||
| Visual contrast sensitivity (dB) | 266 | 20.7 (2.3) | 20.1 (2.1) | 0.89 [0.79–1.00] | 0.045 |
| Proprioception (degrees) | 266 | 2.6 (1.6) | 2.5 (1.5) | 0.98 [0.83–1.14] | 0.748 |
| Hand reaction time (ms) | 266 | 241.2 (45.7) | 244.0 (50.4) | 1.06 [0.83–1.35]a | 0.640 |
| Knee extension strength (kg) | 265 | 27.9 (11.9) | 25.9 (10.4) | 0.99 [0.96–1.01] | 0.169 |
| Postural Sway (mm) | 266 | 190 (93) | 216 (94) | 1.31 [1.02–1.68]a | 0.033 |
| PPA Fall Risk Score | 265 | 0.9 (1.0) | 1.2 (0.9) | 1.31 [1.02–1.69] | 0.037 |
| Functional mobility and balance | |||||
| Five Sit-to-Stand (s) | 266 | 18.6 (7.5) | 18.2 (7.4) | 1.00 [0.99–1.00] | 0.368 |
| Timed Up and Go (s) | 257 | 10.2 (3.2) | 10.3 (3.6) | 1.00 [0.98–1.01] | 0.582 |
| Coordinated Stability (errors) | 263 | 16.0 (13.5) | 17.6 (13.8) | 1.01 [0.99–1.03] | 0.331 |
| Physical activity | |||||
| Total (hours/wk) | 241 | 32.5 (16.9) | 28.8 (16.0) | 0.99 [0.97–1.00] | 0.097 |
| Walking activity (hours/wk) | 258 | 3.5 (4.6) | 2.3 (3.8) | 0.93 [0.88–1.00] | 0.035 |
| Planned (hours/wk) | 248 | 3.7 (4.5) | 2.6 (4.0) | 0.94 [0.88–1.01] | 0.070 |
| Health and disability | |||||
| WHODAS score | 258 | 18.6 (6.4) | 19.1 (6.8) | 1.01 [0.98–1.05] | 0.507 |
Notes:
SD, standard deviation; n, number of participants; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; TMT-A, Trail Making Test A; TMT-B, Trail Making Test B; FAS, Controlled Oral Word Association Test responses to words beginning with F, A and S. GAS, Goldberg Anxiety Scale; GDS, Geriatric Depression Scale; FESI, Falls Efficacy Scale-International; dB, decibel; ms, milliseconds; kg, kilograms; mm, millimetres; PPA, Physiological Profile Assessment; s, second; wk, week; WHODAS, The World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule. Bold p-values highlight significant findings (p < 0.05). Higher scores represent better performance for MMSE, FAS total responses, Digit symbol total correct, Logical memory immediate recall score, Logical memory delayed recall score, Melbourne Edge Test, knee extension strength, and physical activity. Lower scores represent better performance for TMT-A time score, TMT-B time score, TMT-B minus TMT-A time score, GAS, GDS, FESI, proprioception, hand reaction time, postural sway, PPA score, Sit-to-Stand time score, Timed-up-and-go, and coordinated stability.
OR calculated using z scores due to small unit of measurement for these variables.