Article

Falls are common among adults with leg amputations and associated with
balance confidence. But subjective confidence is not equivalent with physical
ability. This multivariate analyses of community-dwelling adults with leg
amputations examined relationships among individual characteristics, falls,
balance ability and balance confidence.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Community-dwelling adults with leg amputations recruited from
a support group and prosthetic clinic. METHODS: Subjects provided self-reported
medical/fall history, prosthetic functional use, and Activities-specific Balance
Confidence (ABC) questionnaire data. Balance ability was assessed with the Berg
Balance Scale (BBS). Fall incidence was categorized as any fall (one or more) and
recurrent falls (more than one). Multivariate logistic regression analyzed
relationships within the two fall categories. Cross tabulations and ANOVA
analyzed differences among subcategories. RESULTS: Fifty-four subjects (mean age
56.8) with various etiologies, amputation levels, and balance abilities
participated. 53.7% had any fall; 25.9% had recurrent falls. Models for both fall
categories correctly classified fall history in > 70% of subjects with
combinations of the variables ABC, BBS, body-mass-index, and amputation level.
CONCLUSION: Falls occurred regardless of clinical characteristics. Total BBS and
select item scores were independent determinants of fall history. Unlike other
balance-impaired populations, adults with leg amputation and better balance
ability had greater odds of falling.
- Chute

Langue : ANGLAIS