Development, feasibility, acceptability, and adjustment of a portable, multifactorial falls risk test battery for community-dwelling older adults.

Abstract

Purpose: Falls accidents are common in older adults and may have severe consequences. Targeting prevention requires accurate, feasible, and time-efficient falls prediction. Aim: To develop, evaluate, and adjust a portable multifactorial test battery for falls risk prediction in community-dwelling older adults. Materials and Methods: Through a multidisciplinary consensus meeting, we developed a preliminary test battery to be completed in a 35-minutes time frame. Risk factors exceeding the time frame were included in a self-reported questionnaire. Eight participants (≥75 years) were tested. Time spent was recorded and tests were evaluated by interviews. Adjustments were made through a modified nominal group technique based on scientific validity, time spent, and evaluations. Questionnaire items were discussed and adjusted. Results: The preliminary test battery was not feasible. Content was adjusted based on assessment of feasibility and acceptability of tests. The final test battery consisted of gait speed, grip- and leg strength, leg reaction time, and dual-task balance (measured using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board), arrhythmia screening, and Orientation-Memory-Concentration test. The questionnaire included the Tilburg Frailty Indicator, Mini-Nutritional-Assessment, Vulnerable Elders Survey-13, Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International, EuroQol-5-Dimension-3-Level, Geriatric Depression Scale, and single risk factors. Conclusion: An iterative development process with consensus meetings and feasibility testing was used to develop a multifactorial test battery designed to predict falls in an older community-dwelling population.

Keywords

• accidental falls
• independent living
• aged
• risk assessment
• consensus
• primary prevention