Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: June | Volume: 10 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 264-267
Correlation between Dynamic Gait Index and Falls Efficacy Scale -International in Community Dwelling Ambulatory Elderly
Ishita Chonkar1, Aparna Sadhale2
1Physiotherapy intern, D.E. Society’s Brijlal Jindal College of Physiotherapy, Pune
2Physiotherapy department Principal, Professor, D.E. Society’s Brijlal Jindal College of Physiotherapy, Pune
Corresponding Author: Ishita Chonkar
ABSTRACT
Background: Balance deficits leading to fall is leading cause of injury in adults more than 65yrs of age, often associated with significant morbidity and sometimes mortality. Falls trigger a vicious cycle of injury – muscular weakness – bedridden condition - overall deconditioning - isolation. Thus screening of the elderly for risk of falls is important for its prevention. If this research proves a correlation between the two outcome measures (DGI and FES-I), the FES-I, which provides a more functional evaluation, can be used alone in the assessment to construct more functional goals and for quick screening.
Method: 70 community ambulating geriatric individuals from 65yrs to 75yrs were included in the study. They answered the 16 FES – I questions, and performed the 8 DGI components. Scores of the two were statistically correlated.
Results & conclusion: Statistical analysis was done using spearman’s correlation coefficient. There was negative correlation between the two outcome measures, dynamic gait index and falls efficacy scale international, in community dwelling ambulatory elderly.
Key words: Elderly, Fall-risk, Balance, Screening, Geriatrics