ABSTRACT
@#Falls in older adults is a major health issue globally. Falls prevalence reports vary based on the study settings. The importance of a fast, easy self-assessment tool to identify falls risk has been emphasised in numerous studies. The aim of our study was to pool information on the prevalence of falls and its risk assessment tools based on a scoping review. This information will be beneficial to inform current falls prevalence and to decide on the best falls risk assessment tool to be used among Malaysian community-dwelling older adults. Articles referred were based on the following electronic databases (MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL, Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Source and SPORTDiscus) via EBSCOHOST, Science Direct, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase® and Google Scholar. Twelve studies were identified to meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our review findings showed that current falls prevalence (between 4.2% and 61%) among Malaysian community dwelling older adults was consistent with the findings in Asia. Falls risk assessment tools used were similar to the ones used in other countries, taking the multiple falls risk factors in consideration.
ABSTRACT
@#Falls is a global health concern due to its many negative consequences in older adults. Early falls screening and prevention is important among older adults. We developed Falls Screening Mobile Application (FallSA) as a self falls screening tool among older adults. FallSA was developed using data of physical performance test, demographic information and questions to inform falls risk from a larger population based longitudinal study on neuroprotective model for healthy longevity among older adults (LRGS TUA). The aim of this study was to determine validity and reliability of FallSA as a self-screening tool to inform falls risk among Malaysian older adults. This cross sectional study was conducted among 91 community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above. FallSA was validated against Physiological Profile Assessments (PPA), a comprehensive falls risk assessment tool. Participants used FallSA to test their falls risk by repeating the test twice between an hour. Validity and test–retest reliability of FallSA was examined by using Spearman correlation, Kappa, Sensitivity and Specificity, Intra correlation coefficient (ICC), Cronbach alpha and Bland-Altman respectively. Concurrent validity test was significant with moderate correlation rs = 0.518, p < 0.001, moderate agreement K = 0.516, p < 0.001 and acceptable Sensitivity: 80.4% and Specificity: 71.1%. Reliability of FallSA was shown to be good (ICC: 0.948, CI: 0.921-0.966), good internal consistency α = 0.948, p < 0.001 and good agreement indicate by small mean differences and narrow limits of agreement (LoA). The results of this study suggest that FallSA was a valid and reliable tool to inform falls risk among Malaysian older adults. Further prospective studies are required to determine the accuracy of FallSA to correctly classify older adults into fallers and non-faller groups.