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 .
A prospective evaluation of balance, gait, and strength to predict falling in women with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE To identify measures of balance , gait , and strength that predict falls in women with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) . DESIGN This prospect i ve study followed participants for 1 year . SETTING University research laboratories . PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample of women with MS ( N=99 ) . INTERVENTIONS Not applicable . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Balance was assessed with the  limits of stability ( LOS ) test  and the  Sensory Organization Test .  Peak force , torque , and power of knee flexors and extensors as well as hip abductors and adductors were also measured . Temporal-spatial parameters of gait  were measured by an instrumented walkway system . For 1 year after baseline assessment s , the participants reported their falls . Participants were then classified based on the number of reported falls for use in logistic regression models to predict either people with at least 1 fall or people with at least 2 falls ( recurrent fallers ) . RESULTS A total of 159 falls were reported by 48 % of the participants .  Exp and ed Disability Status Scale scores , leaning forward to the LOS , and st and ing sway within a visually referenced surround significantly predicted people with at least 1 fall as well as recurrent fallers . Stance-phase asymmetries and base-of-support width during gait , as well as the force and power produced during leg extension or flexion additionally predicted recurrent fallers . The models ' overall predictive accuracy ranged from 69 % to 85 % . CONCLUSIONS This prospect i ve study confirmed the prevalence and multifactorial nature of falls in this MS sample . In addition to advancing disease status , impaired forward LOS and visually dependent sway ( as well as gait asymmetries and leg flexor-extensor weakness for recurrent fallers ) predict future falls in women with MS
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 .