Gait & posture
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While the relevance of falls in raising the risk of fractures, hospitalization and disability in older age is well recognized, the factors influencing the onset of fractures and the need for ward admission after a fall have yet to be fully elucidated. We investigated which factors and fall dynamics were mainly associated with fall-related injuries and hospitalization among elderly persons accessing the Emergency Department (ED) following a fall. ⋯ Outcomes of falls in older age depend not only on any fall-related injuries, but also on factors such as polypharmacy, cognitive status and fall dynamics.
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Impaired arm swing is a common motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), and correlates with other gait impairments and increased risk of falls. Studies suggest that arm swing is not merely a passive consequence of trunk rotation during walking, but an active component of gait. Thus, techniques to enhance arm swing may improve gait characteristics. ⋯ In contrast, no statistically significant changes in trunk sway were observed with ArmSense cues compared to baseline walking. At a fast pace, changes in gait parameters were less systematic. Even though ArmSense cues only specified changes in arm swing amplitude, we observed changes in multiple gait parameters, reflecting the active role arm swing plays in gait and suggesting a new therapeutic path to improve mobility in people with PD.