Ann Geriatr Med Res.  2017 Sep;21(3):108-114. 10.4235/agmr.2017.21.3.108.

Association Between Computerized Reaction Time, Short Physical Performance Battery and Berg Balance Scale in the Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. chunwon62@naver.com
  • 2Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4College of Medicine/East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Falls, in older adults, can worsen physical functioning and lead to serious complications. Thus, as a means of preventive intervention, this high-risk group should be screened. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether reaction time is clinically applicable as a fall risk assessment tool.
METHODS
The study participants were community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older, who scored 24 or more in the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, and did not have difficulty with communication and comprehension. To investigate the relationship between hand reaction time and fall risk, we used items from a recently developed computerized apparatus, which includes 2 fall risk assessment tools: the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS).
RESULTS
Reaction time was negatively correlated with the total SPPB (r=−0.314, p<0.001) and BBS scores (r=−0.164, p<0.001); the scores were higher when reaction times were lower. Multiple linear regression analyses also showed that the total SPPB (β=−0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.26 to −0.02) and BBS scores (β=−0.14; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.02) significantly increased as the reaction time decreased.
CONCLUSION
Reaction time was significantly correlated with the SPPB and BBS, confirming the possibility of its use in tools for fall risk assessment.

Keyword

Accidental falls; Reaction time; Physical activity; Prevention

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls
Adult*
Comprehension
Hand
Humans
Linear Models
Motor Activity
Reaction Time*
Risk Assessment
Full Text Links
  • AGMR
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr