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Factors inducing falling in schizophrenia patients
Yoko Tsuji1, Yoshiteru Akezaki2, Kohei Mori1
1Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences, Japan.
Journal of Physical Therapy Science
|March 31, 2017
Summary
Schizophrenia patients who fell had significantly poorer balance and higher rates of involuntary movements. This highlights balance deficits as a key factor in falls among this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Gerontology
- Neurology
Background:
- Falls are a significant concern for hospitalized psychiatric patients.
- Schizophrenia patients may have unique risk factors for falls due to the illness and its treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors contributing to falls in hospitalized schizophrenia patients.
- To compare fallers and non-fallers on various physical and functional measures.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study comparing 12 patients who fell with 7 who did not.
- Assessed muscle strength, balance, flexibility, body composition, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), antipsychotic use, and Drug-Induced Extra-Pyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS).
Main Results:
- The fall group showed significantly worse performance in one-leg standing time (eyes open) and the Time Up and Go Test (TUGT).
- Higher scores on the DIEPSS Sialorrhea subscale were also noted in the fall group.
- No significant differences were found in muscle strength, flexibility, body composition, or GAF scores.
Conclusions:
- Reduced balance ability is a significant risk factor for falls in schizophrenia patients.
- Extra-pyramidal symptoms, specifically sialorrhea, may also be associated with increased fall risk.
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