Gerontology

Clinical Section

Does Change in Gait while Counting Backward Predict the Occurrence of a First Fall in Older Adults?

Beauchet O.a, e · Allali G.f · Annweiler C.a · Berrut G.b · Maarouf N.c · Herrmann F.R.f · Dubost V.d

Author affiliations

aDepartment of Geriatrics, Angers University Hospital, Angers, bDepartment of Geriatrics, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, cCETAF, Saint-Etienne, and dFormadep, Groupe Korian, Paris, France; Departments of eRehabilitation and Geriatrics and fNeurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland

Keywords: Falls, gait changesOlder adults, fallsDual-task-related gait changes

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Gerontology 2008;54:217–223
https://doi.org/10.1159/000127318

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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Clinical Section

Received: June 04, 2007
Accepted: February 14, 2008
Published online: April 14, 2008
Issue release date: June 2008

Number of Print Pages: 7
Number of Figures: 1
Number of Tables: 3

ISSN: 0304-324X (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0003 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/GER

Abstract

Background: Dual-task-based assessment tests failed to establish a dependable relationship between dual-task-related gait changes and the risk of falls in the elderly. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether changes in gait while counting backward could be associated with the occurrence of a first fall among older adults. Methods: Walking while counting backward was investigated prospectively in a cohort of 187 older adults living independently in senior housing facilities. During enrollment, walking time, number of steps, and frequency of lateral line stepping-over and stops were measured while walking only and while walking with backward counting aloud. Information on the incident falls during the follow-up year was collected monthly. Results: Walking time and the number of steps increased significantly under the dual-task condition compared to the single-task condition among fallers and non-fallers (p < 0.001). Compared to non-fallers, fallers had significantly lower scores in the Mini-Mental State Examination (p = 0.029) and higher scores in the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (p = 0.003) and Timed Up & Go Test (p = 0.006) and increased walking time under both walking conditions (p = 0.030 for single-task condition and p = 0.007 for dual-task condition). After adjusting for these variables, depressive symptoms (adjusted OR = 2.6 with p = 0.041 and adjusted OR = 2.5 with p = 0.045 when walking time while walking only and walking with backward counting is considered, respectively) and walking time while walking only (OR = 2.3 with p = 0.032) were significantly associated with falls. Conclusion: Dual-task-related gait changes were poorly associated with the occurrence of a first fall and provided no additional predictive value compared to gait performance under a single task, suggesting that changes in basic clinical gait parameters while counting backward are unsuccessful to predict the first fall among older adults.

© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel



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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Clinical Section

Received: June 04, 2007
Accepted: February 14, 2008
Published online: April 14, 2008
Issue release date: June 2008

Number of Print Pages: 7
Number of Figures: 1
Number of Tables: 3

ISSN: 0304-324X (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0003 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/GER

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2008, Vol.54, No. 4

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