INDEPENDENT RESEARCH EXPLAINED
Falls And Near Falls In Multiple Sclerosis
UK research showing the burden of falls and near falls in people with MS, including everyday walking, turning and changes of position.
Who Carried Out The Research?
Hilary Gunn, Siobhan Creanor, Bernhard Haas, Jonathan Marsden and Jennifer Freeman. Plymouth University.
Frequency, characteristics, and consequences of falls in multiple sclerosis: findings from a cohort study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 95(3), 538 to 545. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.08.244.
How Was It Studied?
A community cohort of 150 people with MS and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 3.5 to 6.5 recorded falls, near falls, circumstances and injuries in daily diaries for three months. The diary response rate was 92.7%.
What Did They Find?
Participants recorded 672 falls and 3,785 near falls. General mobility activities, such as walking, turning and moving between positions, accounted for 27.6% of falls. Injuries occurred in 11.1% of falls; six individuals needed medical attention.
| Falls recorded | 672 |
|---|---|
| Near falls recorded | 3,785 |
| Falls during general mobility activities | 27.6% |
| Falls involving injury | 11.1% |
| Individuals requiring medical attention | 6 |
Three-month cohort observations. Near falls, falls and people requiring treatment are separate measures.
What Does This Mean For Everyday Mobility?
A hospital record captures only part of someone’s experience. Frequent near falls can still limit confidence and activity, so they deserve attention when deciding whether current walking support is adequate. This is particularly relevant to people who remain able to walk but find everyday movement unpredictable.
What Are The Limits?
The cohort had a specified range of MS disability levels and does not represent everyone with MS. Not all incidents occurred during walking or standing, and medical attention is not synonymous with hospital admission. LifeGlider was not tested.
This is Mobility UK’s explanation of independent research. The authors and institutions do not endorse LifeGlider. Findings from different populations, study designs and follow-up periods should not be pooled into a single fall rate.
Read The Original Research
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