Balance bridges upstream deficits associated with falls in older adults: evidence from the National Health and Aging Trends Study Round 13 cohort
Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Abstract Background and Objectives Falls in older adults are a major public health concern, but the mechanistic pathways linking sensory, cognitive, and vascular deficits to falls are poorly understood. We hypothesized that balance acts as a critical mediator, channeling these upstream deficits into functional fall risk. s1 Methods Using cross-sectional data from 4805 community-dwelling adults (≥ 65 years) in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) Round 13, we examined predictors of a composite fall-risk score (self-reported past falls and worry about falling). Survey-weighted multiple regression identified direct predictors, while mediation analyses tested the indirect effects of hearing, cognition, and vascular conditions through subjective (self-reported problems) and objective (performance-based) balance measures. s2 Results Subjective balance was the strongest direct predictor of fall risk (= 0.53,< .001), with additional direct effects from objective balance, depression, anxiety, and heart disease. Notably, hearing ability, cognitive function, and hypertension were not direct predictors of fall risk; their influence was fully or partially mediated by balance, establishing postural control as the primary pathway through which these upstream factors contribute to falls. s3 Discussion and Implications These findings identify a dual-pathway fall risk model driven by subjective and objective balance. While psychological factors and heart disease directly influenc
Abstract
Abstract Background and Objectives Falls in older adults are a major public health concern, but the mechanistic pathways linking sensory, cognitive, and vascular deficits to falls are poorly understood. We hypothesized that balance acts as a critical mediator, channeling these upstream deficits into functional fall risk. s1 Methods Using cross-sectional data from 4805 community-dwelling adults (≥ 65 years) in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) Round 13, we examined predictors of a composite fall-risk score (self-reported past falls and worry about falling). Survey-weighted multiple regression identified direct predictors, while mediation analyses tested the indirect effects of hearing, cognition, and vascular conditions through subjective (self-reported problems) and objective (performance-based) balance measures. s2 Results Subjective balance was the strongest direct predictor of fall risk (= 0.53,< .001), with additional direct effects from objective balance, depression, anxiety, and heart disease. Notably, hearing ability, cognitive function, and hypertension were not direct predictors of fall risk; their influence was fully or partially mediated by balance, establishing postural control as the primary pathway through which these upstream factors contribute to falls. s3 Discussion and Implications These findings identify a dual-pathway fall risk model driven by subjective and objective balance. While psychological factors and heart disease directly influence fall risk, upstream sensory, cognitive, and hypertensive deficits operate through balance as a convergent mediating pathway. Clinical fall prevention must prioritize subjective and objective balance measures, while managing mental health as a direct threat and addressing sensory and cognitive function as foundational to postural control. s4