title: A cross-sectional study examining multiple mobility device use and fall status among middle-aged and older adults with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document the prevalence of multiple mobility device use among adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) (≥ 55 years) and examine the association between falls status (faller/non-faller) and the number of mobility devices used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data generated through telephone interviews with 353 participants was used for this secondary analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to address the first study purpose. Multiple device use was measured by the number of devices used, which ranged from 0 (never use a cane, walker, manual wheelchair, or power wheelchair/scooter) to 4 (use all four mobility devices at least some of the time). Logistic regression analysis was used to address the second purpose, with fall status used as the dependent variable (non-fallers [<1 per year] versus fallers [≥ 1 per year]).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Just under 60% of participants reported the use of at least two mobility devices. For each additional mobility device used, the odds of being a faller increased by 1.47 times (95% CI = 1.14-1.90).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiple mobility device use was common and the greater number of devices used, the greater the likelihood of being a faller. To prevent falls, this association requires further research to determine directionality.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada and.
authors.forename: Marcia L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Finlayson
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asano
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors