Comparison of Fallers and Nonfallers on Four Physical Performance Tests: A Prospective Cohort Study of Community-Dwelling Older Indigenous Taiwanese Women

Abstract

Background: In this study of older indigenous Taiwanese women, we sought to compare the scores of fallers and non-fallers on four tests of physical performance. Additionally, we aimed to establish cutoff scores that would be discriminate fallers from nonfallers. Methods: At baseline, study participants were evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, gait speed, and the Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS). Their falls were recorded monthly for the next 1 year, and individuals who fell at least once were classified as fallers. For each of the four tests, we estimated the area under the curve (AUC), as well as cutoff points and odds ratios (ORs) with confidence interval (CI) for falls. Results: The study included 112 participants, with a mean (±standard deviation) age of 75.5 ± 6.2 years. Thirty-six (32%) of the participants were fallers. Except for the EMS, all tests had AUCs >0.8, as well as moderate sensitivities and specificities. The cutoff point for predicting being a faller were 10.5 for the SPPB (OR, 8.4; CI, 3.3–21.4), 13.9 s for the TUG test (OR, 19.4; CI, 6.9–55.1), 0.84 m/s for gait speed (OR, 8.9; CI, 3.6–22.0), and 19.5 for EMS (OR, 3.4; CI, 1.5–8.0). Conclusion: The SPPB, TUG, and gait speed might provide effective means of fall screening among older indigenous Taiwanese women. Keywords: accidental falls, aged, indigenous people, balance, physical function