| Author: | Ho, Chi-fai Anthony |
| Title: | Telephone follow-up and one year reassessment of elderly clients from a fall clinic in Hong Kong |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 1999 |
| Subject: | Falls (Accidents) in old age -- China -- Hong Kong Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies Department of Rehabilitation Sciences |
| Pages: | xii, 88 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 31 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | The objective of the study was to determine the functional mobility status, as measured by fall incident(s), balance and mobility performance, of three faller risk groups post-intervention from a Fall Clinic in Hong Kong using hi-monthly telephone calls and a one-year reassessment evaluation. Subjects were recruited from clients who visited the Fall Clinic between July 1996 to April 1997. Clients (n=52) with three or more fall risk factors were classified into three groups. Based on the incident(s) of fall in the past 12 months, there were 13 "Non-fallers"(no fall incident), 20 "Fallers" (one fall incident) and 19 "Multiple-fallers" (two or more fall incidents). A post-intervention bi-monthly telephone call was used to monitor the incident of falls over 12 months (n=35 clients). A follow-up reassessment occurred at one-year using three measures, the "Timed Up & Go Test" (TUGT), the Self Paced Walk Test (SPWT) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Based on mean scores, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was the only measure to reflect changes in performance among the three groups at a given time period (i.e., the initial assessment, post intervention or at the one-year reassessment; one-way ANOVA). Initially, mean scores on the BBS indicated that the Non-faller risk group had significantly better balance performance than the Multiple-faller group. Following intervention, improved balance performance resulted in similar mean BBS scores for the three groups (n=52). At the one-year reassessment (n=35), a trend toward different mean levels of balance performance (BBS) was observed between subjects in the three groups. For 14 clients in the original Multiple-faller group who completed the follow-up reassessment, the average decrease in fall number from 3.4 to 1.4 falls per client supports that the activities of the Fall Clinic were successful in fall prevention. Despite their continuing risk factors for falls, all clients in the Non-faller group were successfully maintained at the no fall status at the one year follow-up reassessment. Based on the decreased number of falls reported among the 35 clients over the 12 month follow-up period (21 vs. 60 initial falls), a significant improvement in the level of faller risk status was noted when clients were re-classified into the relevant faller risk group, i.e., Non-faller, Faller and Multiple-faller. The present study highlights the importance of follow-up procedures in clinical practice. The mean levels of mobility and balance performance of clients were maintained at the one-year reassessment. One explanation of these findings is that the telephone contact had a beneficial effect on client performance, but this remains to be tested. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b1479326x.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 6.82 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/1372