Showing papers by "Hylton B. Menz published in 2000"
TL;DR: The study findings confirm the importance of vision, in particular contrast sensitivity and stereopsis, in the control of posture under challenging conditions, and suggest some mechanisms for the association between impaired vision and falls in older people.
Abstract: Background: With advancing age, there is a generalized reduction in visual functioning which has been associated with impaired postural stability and increased risk of falls. Howeve
346 citations
Book•
11 Dec 2000TL;DR: In this article, the role of footwear in falls prevention is discussed and a physiological profile approach for falls prevention based on falls risk factors is presented. But, the focus is on falls in older adults.
Abstract: Preface Part I. Risk Factors for Falls: 1. Epidemiology of falls and fall-related injuries 2. Postural stability and falls 3. Sensory and neuromuscular risk factors for falls 4. Medical risk factors for falls 5. Medications as risk factors for falls 6. Environmental risk factors for falls 7. The relative importance of falls risk factors - an evidence-based summary Part II. Strategies for Prevention: Overview. Falls prevention 8. Exercise interventions to prevent falls 9. Modifying the environment to prevent falls 10. The role of footwear in falls prevention 11. Assistive devices 12. Prevention of falls in hospitals and residential aged care facilities 13. The medical management of older people at risk of falls 14. Modifying medication use to prevent falls 15. Targeted falls prevention strategies 16. A physiological profile approach for falls prevention Part III. Research Issues in Falls Prevention: 17. Falls in older people: future directions for research Index.
322 citations
TL;DR: The Footwear Assessment Form is a reliable clinical tool for the assessment of shoe type, heel height, heel counter stiffness, longitudinal sole rigidity and tread pattern; however, a more objective protocol may be required to improve the reliability of sole hardness evaluation.
Abstract: Objective: Falls in older adults are common and may result in serious injury. Inappropriate footwear has been suggested to be a contributing factor to many falls. However no studies have been undertaken to determine whether clinicians can reliably assess footwear variables thought to influence postural stability in older adults. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a simple clinical footwear assessment form and assess its reliability, both between examiners and with repeated assessments over time.Design: Two examiners assessed seven footwear variables (shoe type, heel height, heel counter stiffness, longitudinal sole rigidity, sole flexion point, tread pattern and sole hardness) in 12 different shoes, and repeated the measurements three weeks later. The examiners were blinded to each other's and their own previous results.Results: Analysis using the kappa (and percentage agreement statistics revealed the examiners' footwear assessments to be generally highly reliable (= 0.47–1.00 for inter-teste...
95 citations