Fall Prevalence and Contributors to the Likelihood of Falling in Persons With Upper Limb Loss

摘要: BACKGROUND Arms are important for locomotor stability and preventing falls by controlling whole-body angular momentum, redirecting the body's center of mass, providing support to arrest descent. Hence, upper limb loss (ULL) can increase fall risk. However, prevalence factors that influence risk have not previously been reported people with ULL. OBJECTIVE This study quantified in persons ULL at or proximal wrist identified clinical contributed likelihood falling. DESIGN was a cross-sectional study. METHODS Factors including body health characteristics, activity level, history, prosthesis use, balance confidence were determined using an online survey. Logistic regression analyses assessed contribution these classification fallers (≥2 previous year) nonfallers. RESULTS A percentage (28.6%) participants (n = 105) experiencing 2 more past year. The model (R2 = 0.473) correctly classified 84.5% cases indicated increased falling significantly influenced reduced confidence, use prostheses, physical capabilities. LIMITATIONS Data collected from convenience sample, based on retrospective data. CONCLUSIONS Falls prevalent, suggesting clinicians should screening methods identify at-risk individuals. Balance perceived capabilities could be useful metrics. Research is warranted better understand underlie efficacy therapeutic interventions capable mitigating