Among the multiple risk factors studied , a reduced performance in balance and gait was consistently associated with falls , while the contribution of single physical and cognitive impairments was variable in different population s. Walking aids , wheelchair characteristics and environmental hazards are significant environmental risk factors .
Falling is a common problem among young patients affected by neurological disorders , although the risk of falling for a specific individual is difficult to predict and the risk of a severe fall-related injury has not yet been established .
IMPLICATION S FOR REHABILITATION Young patients with impaired gait and balance or medium to severe motor disability appear to be at increased risk of falling .
Patients who are relatively independent and still participating in challenging activities have an increased exposure to fall-risk .
Walking aids , wheelchair characteristics and environmental hazards are significant environmental risk factors .
PURPOSE To review systematic ally the literature on fall risk factors for young patients affected by neurological disorders .
The Diagnostic Accuracy of Static Posturography in Predicting Accidental Falls in People With Multiple Sclerosis
Background . Quantitative posturography has been reported as a reliable tool to measure balance in people with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) . However , data on its diagnostic accuracy in predicting the occurrence of falls are lacking . Objective . To determine sensitivity , specificity , predictive values , and accuracy of  posturography  in detecting falls  in MS subjects over a 3-month follow-up period . Methods . One hundred consecutive patients with MS were tested by the  Berg Balance Scale ( BBS ) and by  static posturography on a monoaxial platform . Participants recorded the occurrence of accidental falls for the next 3 months . Abnormal cutoff values for static st and ing balance measures were set at 2 st and ard deviations above the mean values obtained from 50 healthy controls ( HC ) . The diagnostic accuracy of the BBS and static posturography was analyzed with respect to the prospect ively collected data on the occurrence of falls . Results . Posturometric measures in participants with MS were significantly worse than in HC ( all P values < .0001 ) ; however , only the center of pressure ( COP ) path with open eyes condition had substantial test – retest reliability .  Static posturography  was more sensitive ( 88 % vs 37 % ) and accurate ( 75 % vs 63 % ) , but slightly less specific ( 67 % vs 81 % ) , than the BBS in predicting accidental falls . A logistic regression analysis revealed that the worse the COP path , the greater the risk for accidental falls ( odds ratio = 1.08 ; P < .0001 ) , even after adjusting for sex , age , disease duration , body mass index , MS subtype , Exp and ed Disability Status Scale , and BBS score . Conclusion . The COP path measurement in static position is a sensitive and accurate tool to identify people with MS who are at risk of accidental falls
Among the multiple risk factors studied , a reduced performance in balance and gait was consistently associated with falls , while the contribution of single physical and cognitive impairments was variable in different population s. Walking aids , wheelchair characteristics and environmental hazards are significant environmental risk factors .
Falling is a common problem among young patients affected by neurological disorders , although the risk of falling for a specific individual is difficult to predict and the risk of a severe fall-related injury has not yet been established .
IMPLICATION S FOR REHABILITATION Young patients with impaired gait and balance or medium to severe motor disability appear to be at increased risk of falling .
Patients who are relatively independent and still participating in challenging activities have an increased exposure to fall-risk .
Walking aids , wheelchair characteristics and environmental hazards are significant environmental risk factors .
PURPOSE To review systematic ally the literature on fall risk factors for young patients affected by neurological disorders .