New Research Shows You Can Better Predict Falls

FALL RISK ASSESSMENT (FRA):

The webFCE Fall Risk Assessment (FRA) consists of 12 basic evaluative tools that calculate an individual’s risk (and probability) of falling. These measurements were obtained from a comprehensive fall risk “meta-study” that examined over 2,200 fall risk studies1 and we examined over 12,700 population norm studies found in the literature. Utilizing a statistical method of post-test probability2 each individual measurement will calculate a basic estimation of the probability that a future fall is likely. However, when all twelve tools are combined via complicated mathematical algorithms a much more accurate determination of fall risk is obtained. This post-test probability determination ultimately enables the clinician the ability to predict the probability of falls over a 12 month time frame for different diverse populations: healthy young, middle-aged, & older populations.3

WHAT MAKES OUR FRA DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS?

1. RESEARCH: Is your FRA peer reviewed? Our FRA is based on a meta-analysis of over 2,200 studies that yielded the 12 most clinically useful assessment tests for predicting falls. According to the Lusardi study, a systematic review was taken from the following: The Institute of Medicine Guidelines for Systematic Review – the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines; and the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy. A total of 2,294 abstracts were reviewed. Out of the 2,294 abstracts, a total of 364 full-text articles were retrieved, examined, and appraised. An additional 269 articles did not meet inclusion criteria. Data was then extracted from the remaining 95 articles with 57 of them containing information necessary for calculation of fall risk probability.

2. MORE RESEARCH: The research studies also looked at over 40 self-reported outcomes measurements, 64 performance-based measurements, and 15 medical history questions to find this answer.

3. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF FALL RISK: Peer reviewed calculations to accurately predict fall risk and future risk of falls. Our FRA automatically calculates the advanced mathematics necessary to predict fall risk. That’s math you’d never be able to do manually.

4. POPULATION NORMS: Our FRA uses the best population norms from 12,733 different studies. Population norms are typically based on age, and gender.

5. PROGRESS, GOALS & PLAN OF CARE: Does your existing FRA automatically generate goals and interventions? Our FRA will automatically calculate and document progress over time and will also automatically generate goals and interventions based off a statistical analysis of the test measurement data. If you participate in the MIPS program and need reporting to support MIPS Measure #155 we do that too.

References:

  1. Lusardi MM, Fritz S, Middleton A, Allison L, Wingood M, Phillips E, Criss M, Verma S, Osborne J, Chui KK. Determining Risk of Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Using Posttest Probability. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2017 Jan/Mar;40(1):1-36.
  2. Stevens JA . Falls among older adults—risk factors and prevention strategies. Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan . Washington, DC: The National Council on the Aging; 2005.
  3. Talbot LA, Musiol RJ, Witham EK, Metter EJ. Falls in young, middle-aged and older community dwelling adults: perceived cause, environmental factors and injury. BMC Public Health. 2005 Aug 18;5:86.