Quantitative Mobility Assessment for Fall Risk Prediction in Dementia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Impairments of gait and balance often progress through the course of dementia, and are associated with increased risk of falls. Summary: This systematic review provides a critical analysis of the evidence linking quantitative measures of gait and balance to fall risk in older adults with dementia. Various instrumented measures of gait and postural stability including gait speed and non-instrumented performance measures including Timed Up and Go were shown to be capable of distinguishing fallers from non-fallers. Key Messages: Existing reviews indicate that impairments of gait and balance are associated with increased risk of falls in cognitively intact older people. There are inconsistencies, however, regarding the characteristics most predictive of a fall. In order to advance fall prevention efforts, there is an important need to understand the relationship between gait, balance, and fall risk, particularly in high-risk populations such as individuals with dementia.