Swanenburg J.1,2, Straumann D.3, de Bruin E.D.4
1University Hospital of Zurich, Physiotherapy Occupational Therapy Research Center, Directorate of Research and Education, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, 2Balgrist University Hospital, Interdisciplinary Spinal Research ISR, Chiropractic Medicine,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, 3University Hospital Zurich, Department of Neurology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, 4ETH Zurich, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, Department Health Sciences and Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
Background: Prospective fall assessments in patients with vestibulopathy are rare. To improve fall prevention strategies in selected populations, as much as possible information on the circumstances and the context wherein a fall took place is needed.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide detailed information on the circumstances surrounding prospectively registered falls in patients with vestibulopathy.
Methods: Falls of patients were prospectively recorded with a monthly fall calendar over a one-year period. Information on circumstances surrounding falls (e.g. day time, lighting conditions, fall location, possible head movement, activity performed) and possible injuries was obtained from the questionnaires accompanying the fall calendar.
Results: 21 patients (mean age 64.4 ±11.6 years, 6 male, and 11 unilateral vestibulopathy) completed fall calendars in the observation period. During the monitoring period, a total of eight (38%) fallers and 13 (62%) non-fallers were identified. Overall, 12 falls were recorded, of which 11 (92%) falls occurred in normal lighting and eight (67%) falls outside. Five (42%) occurred in the morning, six (50%) at noon and 1 (8%) in the afternoon. 7 falls resulted in minor injuries. A total of six (50%) falls happened while going downstairs, whereof 4 (33%) falls occurred at the transition between the last step of the staircase and the plane floor. Eight falls (67%) occurred while participants moved their head during walking or stair negotiation.
Conclusion(s): Falls in this relatively small sample frequently occurred during dual task conditions, especially when the head was moving during locomotion. Going downstairs was associated with half of the observed falls.
Implications: Further studies in larger samples are warranted. Physiotherapists possibly should also focus on exercises that include head movements while walking on stairs.
Funding acknowledgements: This study was financially supported by the University Zurich Medical Faculty.
Topic: Neurology
Ethics approval: Approved by the ethics committee of the Canton of Zürich, Switzerland under KEK-ZH-NR: 20140509
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
