Comparison of the reaction time, the Berg Scale and the ABC in non-fallers and fallers

Abstract

Postural sway, reaction time, the Berg Scale and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) were administered to 80 elderly subjects (40 fallers and 40 healthy non-fallers) in order to determine reliable predictor for those at risk of falling. Non-fallers showed significantly faster reaction times when compared with fallers experimental group. Postural sway results show a higher oscillation displacement in the Y axis (lateral) than the X axis (anterior-posterior) and that fallers oscillate at a higher frequency than non-fallers. All variables were submitted to a multiple regression analysis. Only three of the four variables were found to be significant predictors of fall status. The variables in order of their inclusion are reaction time, Total Berg Balance Score and mean ABC. It was further determined that reaction time was indeed the best predictor of fall status in the present study. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.