Visuospatial ability and memory are associated with falls risk in older people: a population-based study

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2009;27(5):451-7. doi: 10.1159/000216840. Epub 2009 May 7.

Abstract

Background/aims: Our purpose was to examine whether falls risk is associated with cognitive functions beyond executive function/attention and processing speed.

Methods: Cognitive function was measured in a population-based sample (n = 300) of people aged 60-86 years. The physiological profile assessment was used to estimate the falls risk.

Results: After adjusting for confounders, visual construction (p < 0.01), executive function/attention and memory (both p < 0.05) were independently associated with falls risk. The associations for visual construction (p < 0.01) and memory (p < 0.01) remained after adjusting for executive function/ attention.

Conclusions: The neural basis underlying the associations of visuospatial function and memory with falls risk require further study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data*
  • Affect
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attention / physiology
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Population
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*