Exploration of the correlation between subjective and objective balance indicators in older adults with falls

To precisely determine the correlation between subjective and objective balance indicators among older adults having experienced falls.

The cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted at the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic and Rehabilitation Department of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China, from January 2022 to January 2023, and comprised elderly patients who were divided into falls group A and no-falls group B, based on whether the selected individuals had experienced one or more falls in the preceding year. The patients were subjected to the Short Physical Performance Battery and Computer Dynamic Posturography testing. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.

Of the 266 patients, 131(49.2%) were in group A; 89(68%) males and 42(32%) females with mean age 81.38±7.30 years. There were 135(50.8%) patients in group B; 100(74%) males and 35(26%) females with mean age 79.66±8.26 years (p>0.05). SPPB,VIS, VEST, SOT-COM, EPE, MXE and DCL scores were lower in group A compared to group B (p<0.05).SPPB was positively correlated with SOT-COM (r=0.254, p<0.001), VIS (r=0.220, p<0.001), VEST (r=0.246, p<0.001), MVL (r=0.247, p<0.001), EPE (r=0.370,p<0.001), MXE (r=0.399, p<0.001), and DCL (r=0.233, p<0.001).Binary logistic regression confirmed VEST (OR: 1.019, 95%CI: 1.008-1.030, p<0.001) and MXE (OR: 1.041, 95%CI: 1.012-1.072, p=0.006) as independent positive predictors of SPPB.

Better physical function and improved visual/vestibular senses were found to be associated with lower fall risk in older adults. The integration of subjective and objective balance indicators could yield a more comprehensive and precise assessment.