Clinical Availability of Maximal Step Length

Lee, Seung Joo; Shin, Jae Won; Kong, In Sik; Yoo, Sang Hoo; Lee, Jung Un; Cho, BeLong

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Many clinical measures have been used to assess fall risk in elderly adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the interrelationship of maximal step length (MSL) measurement as protective strategies and risk factors of falls.
METHODS
The study population consisted of 149 community-dwelling people (> or = 60 yrs). Demographic data, depression degree (GDS-short form), fatigue degree (revised Chalder's fatigue scale) were reviewed by self-recorded questionnaire. K-MMSE, MSL, US and TUG were done when they visited our clinic. We examined whether MSL was correlated with the six leg-directions and was related to other measures to evaluate fall risk. To examine the association between MSL and other variables, we analyzed data by T-test, ANOVA and multiple regressions.
RESULTS
The MSLmean correlated highly with each leg- direction MSL (correlation coefficient, r=0.771~0.941, P<0.01), US (r=0.392, P<0.01) and TUG (r=-0.608, P<0.01). The MSL(mean/L) (MSL(mean), leg length adjusted) correlated strongly with frequent fall (P=0.005). Also, the MSL(mean/L) had a tendency to be low in the elderly, females, in those with regular exercise, widowed or divorced, DM, stroke, dementia suspicion, inclination toward depression, arthritis and frequent falls, but higher score on fatigue groups. Age (P<.001), sex (P=0.001), DM (P<.001), frequent falls (P= 0.017), dementia suspicion (P=0.016), and arthritis (P= 0.024) variables were related with MSL(mean/L) when we examined these variables by multiple regression analysis.
CONCLUSION
MSL was correlated highly with other functional performance test and DM, age, sex, frequent fall, dementia suspicion, and arthritis variables for fall risk.