Comparison of the fall risk and balance in frail and non-frail older adults

Abstract

Aim: To compare fall risk and balance in frail and non-frail older adults.

Methods: Older people over the age of 65 who agreed to participate in the study voluntarily were included. Older people with a score of 9 and above according to the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) were classified as frail group (n=52) and older people below this score were placed into the non-frail group (n = 52). Older people’s fall risks were evaluated with the Fall Risk Questionnaire (FRQ) and their balance performance was evaluated with the Tinetti Balance and Gait Test (TBGT) and Four Square Step Test (FSST).

Results: The Frail group's FRQ mean score was significantly higher than the other group (p<0.001). The frail group's TBGT balance, gait, and total scores were significantly lower than the non-frail group (p<0.001). The FSST time was significantly lower in the non-frail group (p=0.009).

Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that the balance performance of the elderly during the frailty period decreases compared to the normal elderly and this increases the risk of falling. Therefore, we think that this negative aspect of frailty should be taken into account in clinical practice.

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