title: Multi-chronic musculoskeletal pain is a useful clinical index to predict the risk of falls in older adults with normal motor function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of chronic musculoskeletal pain sites (nCMSP) is reportedly associated with risk of falls. Older participants in community-based research show a wide range of physical functions, but few studies have focused on the risk of falls in older adults with normal motor function (NMF). Clarification of the effects of pain on dual-tasking performance is also important, given the strong link between falls and dual-tasking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives were to investigate the associations between: (1) nCMSP and falls; and (2) nCMSP and dual-task performance in older adults with NMF.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 112 older adults with NMF (44 men, 68 women; 73.4 ± 4.6 years) were classified as fallers (n = 22) or non-fallers (n = 90) according to their fall history. Musculoskeletal pain in the lower body was assessed using questions ascertaining pain in musculoskeletal sites (back, hip, knee, foot, or toe). Participants were assigned to three pain groups according to nCMSP. Basic physical performances and gait performances (normal gait, fast gait, or dual-task gait) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nCMSP represented a significant risk factor for falls according to logistic regression modeling after adjusting for the five chair stand test and fear of falls. The nCMSP was not associated with any gait variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Potential fall risk may be increased by nCMSP, even in older adults with NMF. Pain-related reduction in attention resources may not represent a risk factor for falls among older adults with NMF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nCMSP represents a potential risk factor for falls in older adults with NMF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, 518 Ikawadanicho, Arise, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-2180, Japan. asai@reha.kobegakuin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asai
authors.affiliation: Kobe City Hospital Organization, Kobe City Medical Center West Hospital, 1-2-4 Nagata-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 653-0013, Japan.
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Misu
authors.affiliation: Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 654-0142, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sawa
authors.affiliation: Section for Health Promotion, Department of Health and Medical Care Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35 Gengo, Morioka, Obu, Aichi, 474-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Takehiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 3-29-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-0012, Japan.
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
keywords: Chronic musculoskeletal pain; Community-dwelling older adults; Dual-tasking; Risk factor of fall