Development of New Fall Risk Assessment Framework Focusing on Near Falls

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19723
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: Hyogo Medical University (2022); Hyogo University of Health Sciences (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Nagai Koutatsu 兵庫医科大学, リハビリテーション学部, 准教授 (00633348)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 転倒予防 / 高齢者 / 転倒ヒヤリハット / 転倒未遂

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this research is to elucidate the factors of falls by examining information about near-miss incidents and falls, thus aiding the creation of a new fall risk assessment. Our methodology involved assessing the incidence of everyday near-miss falls, their occurrence over the previous month and associated causes, as well as yearly falls and their causes.
Our findings reveal a correlation between regularity of near-miss incidents and increased fall rate. Additionally, the causes underlying near-miss falls resemble those of actual falls, indicating a strong correlation.
These insights suggest that in clinical environments, considering the occurrence of near-miss falls and their causes, alongside risk management strategies and preventive interventions, could reduce the incidence of falls.

Free Research Field

予防理学療法

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は、転倒の引き金となる要因を明らかにし、新たな転倒リスク評価を構築するための重要な知見の提供につながるものである。医療や介護領域の専門職者は日々の臨床現場において転倒ヒヤリハットの有無や原因を評価し、効果的なリスク管理や予防的介入を行うことが可能となる。このようなアプローチは、高齢者や身体障害を持つ人々の転倒リスクを大幅に低減させ、高齢者の生活の質の向上に寄与する可能性がある。さらに、これにより医療費の節約や、転倒による重篤な傷害や死亡のリスクの低減につながる可能性期待される。