| Association Between Computerized Reaction Time, Short Physical Performance Battery and Berg Balance Scale in the Community-Dwelling Older Adults |
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Boram Kim, Chang Won Won, Jin Young Min, Sunyoung Kim, Miji Kim, Byung Sung Kim, Hyunrim Choi, Joosun Hong |
1Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. chunwon62@naver.com
2Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
3Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
4College of Medicine/East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. |
Correspondence:
Chang Won Won,
Email: chunwon62@naver.com
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| Abstract |
BACKGROUND
Falls, in older adults, can worsen physical functioning and lead to serious complications. Thus, as a means of preventive intervention, this high-risk group should be screened. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether reaction time is clinically applicable as a fall risk assessment tool.
METHODS
The study participants were community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older, who scored 24 or more in the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, and did not have difficulty with communication and comprehension. To investigate the relationship between hand reaction time and fall risk, we used items from a recently developed computerized apparatus, which includes 2 fall risk assessment tools: the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS).
RESULTS
Reaction time was negatively correlated with the total SPPB (r=−0.314, p<0.001) and BBS scores (r=−0.164, p<0.001); the scores were higher when reaction times were lower. Multiple linear regression analyses also showed that the total SPPB (β=−0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.26 to −0.02) and BBS scores (β=−0.14; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.02) significantly increased as the reaction time decreased.
CONCLUSION
Reaction time was significantly correlated with the SPPB and BBS, confirming the possibility of its use in tools for fall risk assessment. |
| Key Words:
Accidental falls, Reaction time, Physical activity, Prevention |
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