Personalized tDCS for Falls, Accidental

Falls, accidental falling was the most common cause reported. Older adults who live alone were most likely to fall, thus increasing the burden on the health care system.

Those who had a history of fall injuries were more likely to fall again than those who did not. They have a greater likelihood of sustaining injuries that might affect health-related quality of life (e.g., hip fracture, shoulder injury).

We estimate the incidence of falls (and related injuries) can range from 3.37 to 7.41 falls a year/person depending on the criteria of falls, and 3.13 to 8.36 falls per person in the population age 65 and older.

There is a lack of evidence regarding the accuracy of falling risk identification and assessment. This discrepancy has been identified as a major issue in the identification and management of falls and accidents. There is an urgent need for more accurate information to facilitate the identification, assessment, management and prevention of falls.

Results from a recent clinical trial suggests that falls, accidental may be more easily manageable by patients as compared to serious falls, intentional. This may be due to more effective fall prevention strategies for accidental falls and fall-prone subjects.

Common interventions for falls, accidental include physical therapy, orthotic aids and exercise training, as opposed to medication. There are no evidence based recommendations for either exercise or medication for falls treatment, therefore, the use of these interventions should be done on a case by case basis.

Falls, accidental is the commonest cause of admission to the emergency department and hospital amongst older people. Older people are not as well protected against falls, accidental as younger people may be.

Results demonstrate that subjects with mild to severe gait disorders show larger reductions in pain by using the customized tDCS device and show no significant change in gait speed or balance. Additionally, no change in gait speed is seen in healthy participants using tDCS.

The literature survey shows that falls, accidental injuries in the elderly, are a multi-factorial problem which is still not completely understood. The medical literature contains a number of research reports which emphasize the risks of falls and accidental accidents.

Findings from a recent study shows that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation to left anodal F5 and right anodal F1/2, tDCS to posterior parietal cortex, reduces risk of balance, mobility and functional disability in older people with a history of accidental falls. Findings from a recent study should aid decision support and prioritization of clinical research into tDCS for fall prevention. [International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN-14449912.

The authors suggest that a prospective and multicenter study be conducted to evaluate the predisposing risk factors with other possible risk assessments for the development of FES of different types and the course of fall in fallers.