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Published on: October 25, 2024
Mobility and falls in people with Huntington's disease
M E Busse1, C M Wiles, A E Rosser
1Department of Physiotherapy, School of Healthcare Studies, Cardiff University, Ty Dewi Sant, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK. busseme@cardiff.ac.uk
A high frequency of falls occurs in people with Huntington's disease (HD). The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up & Go (TUG) test are effective tools for assessing fall risk in HD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Falls are a significant concern for individuals with HD, impacting mobility and independence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of falls in people diagnosed with Huntington's disease.
- To evaluate the utility of specific assessment tools for predicting fall risk in this population.
Main Methods:
- An observational study was conducted in a hospital clinic setting.
- Twenty-four individuals with HD were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, and 10-meter walking speed.
- Data on falls, stumbles, and Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) scores were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Over half of the participants (58.3%) experienced two or more falls in the preceding year.
- Recurrent fallers demonstrated significantly poorer balance (lower BBS scores), slower walking speed, and higher TUG scores compared to non-fallers.
- A TUG score of 14 seconds or higher, or a BBS score of 40 or lower, indicated an increased risk of falls.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of individuals with Huntington's disease experience recurrent falls.
- The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up & Go (TUG) test are valuable instruments for assessing fall risk in the HD population.
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