Falls risk assessment tool for amputees
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Validation of a falls risk assessment tool for individuals with a lower limb amputation living in the community
IRAS ID
215680
Contact name
Natalie Vanicek
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hull
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
It has been well established that lower-limb amputees fall more frequently than age-matched, able-bodied individuals. Miller et al. (2001) reported that over 52% of lower-limb amputees fall once a year, with 75% falling recurrently (2 or more times). Moreover, almost 50% of lower-limb amputees report a fear of falling. Risk factors for falling include level of amputation, problems with the prosthesis, pain (musculoskeletal, stump, phantom) and prosthetic experience (less than 4 years post-amputation increased falls risk) (Miller, Speechley, & Deathe, 2001).
A recent systematic review identified 38 studies that tested the validity and reliability of fall-risk assessment tools for use among able-bodied older adults in community, home-support, long-term and acute care settings (Scott, Votova, Scanlan, & Close, 2007). Whilst there are many validated questionnaires for older adults, to our knowledge, there is no amputee-specific questionnaire that assesses falls-risk and that can be used as a pathway for referrals within a clinical context. Therefore, validating a questionnaire for use with persons with a lower-limb amputation is required.
This project will design a simple and easy to use questionnaire, to be completed by the patient and/or with the physiotherapist, to (1) identify falls history, (2) screen patient-specific risk factors (3) serve to predict falls and (4) design a clear pathway for referrals. The questionnaire will focus on risk factors for falls, such as: vision, musculoskeletal strength, prosthetic fit, general health (including vision), polypharmacy (i.e., medication use), pain, activity levels, fear of falling, well-being, time since amputation and environmental hazards.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0271
Date of REC Opinion
27 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion