A pilot study of factors associated with falls in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To determine factors associated with falls among a sample of ambulatory individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Cross-sectional mail survey.


METHODS
A survey instrument of participant characteristics and fall-related variables was developed using relevant items from existing measures and was mailed to 221 individuals with incomplete SCI, who were identified from records of a large specialty hospital in the southeastern United States. Of the 221 prospective participants, 119 completed the questionnaire (54%). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors that were independently associated with having had a fall in the past year.


RESULTS
After adjusting for covariates, having fallen in the past year was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with greater numbers of medical conditions (odds ratio [OR] = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-1.7), having arthritis (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2-9.6), experiencing dizziness (OR = 5.6, 95% Cl = 1.1-27.7), greater numbers of days with poor physical health (OR = 1.1; 95% Cl = 1.0-1.3), and the restriction of community activities because of fear of falling (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1). The multivariable models also showed that the odds of having fallen were significantly lower among those with better current perceived physical health (OR = 0.5; 95% Cl = 0.3-0.9), those with better perceived health compared to a year ago (OR = 0.4; 95% Cl = 0.2-0.8), individuals who exercised more frequently (OR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.1-0.7), and those who used a walker (OR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1-0.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that interventions that address exercise frequency, walker use, and dizziness have promise for reducing falls for individuals with incomplete SCI.
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, PO Box 250965, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. brothers@musc.edu
Sandra S
SS
Brotherton
James S
JS
Krause
Paul J
PJ
Nietert
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D051341:Dependent Ambulation; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology