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Peripheral neuromuscular dysfunction and falls in an elderly cohort.

G S Sorock¹, D M Labiner

¹Division of Epidemiology, Columbia University School of Public Health, New York, NY.

American Journal of Epidemiology

|September 1, 1992

Summary

Impaired sensory and motor function in the lower extremities significantly increases fall risk in older adults. Addressing these deficits can help prevent falls in the elderly population.

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Area of Science:

Gerontology
Neurology
Biomechanics

Background:

Falls are a major cause of injury and mortality in the elderly.
Peripheral sensory and motor deficits are suspected contributors to falls.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between lower extremity sensory and motor function and the rate of first falls in senior citizens.

Main Methods:

Prospective study of 169 senior housing residents (mean age 79.8 years).
Evaluated peripheral sensory (toe joint position, sharp-dull discrimination) and motor (ankle strength) functions.
Assessed fall rates over a mean follow-up of 5.6 months, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

Reduced toe joint position sense (RR=2.2) and sharp-dull discrimination (RR=2.0) were associated with increased fall rates.

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Peripheral neuromuscular dysfunction (one or more deficits) increased first fall rates (RR=2.4).

Two or more deficits increased falling rates 3.9 times compared to those without deficits.

Conclusions:

Impaired lower extremity sensory and motor function are significant risk factors for falls in the elderly.
Targeting these specific neuromuscular deficits may offer a strategy for fall prevention in older adults.