Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT): Difference between revisions

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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
[[Falls in elderly|Falls]] are problematic within the elderly population. Approximately 28.7% of older adults reported falling at least once in the preceding 12 months, resulting in an estimated 29 million falls and 7 million fall injuries in the United States.<ref>Cuevas-Trisan R. Balance problems and fall risks in the elderly. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics. 2017 Nov 1;28(4):727-37.</ref> A study specifies that 44% of falls cause minor injuries such as bruises, abrasions and sprains and 4-5% of falls cause major injuries such as [[Wrist Sprain|wrist]] and [[Hip Fracture|hip fractures]].<ref>Hart A. ''Falls in the Older Adult Population: Risk Factors, Risk Identification Instruments and Fall Prevention Programs'' (Doctoral dissertation, Stern College for Women). 2015</ref> Within the NHS in 2003 the cost per 10,000 population was £300,000 in the 60–64 age group, increasing to £1,500,000 in the >75 age group. These falls cost the UK government £981 million, of which the NHS incurred 59.2%.<ref>Scuffham P, Chaplin S, Legood R. Incidence and costs of unintentional falls in older people in the United Kingdom. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. 2003 Sep 1;57(9):740-4.</ref>  According to the NHS long term plan (2019), they aim to increase funding for primary and community care by at least £4.5 billion and reducing falls-related costs could go some way to achieving this<ref>England NH. The NHS long term plan. London: NHS England. 2019.</ref>.
[[Falls in elderly|Falls]] are problematic within the elderly population. Falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide. Each year an estimated 684 000 individuals die from falls worldwide. Adults older than 60 years of age experience the greatest number of fatal falls.<ref>WHO Falls Available:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls (accessed 2.11.2022)</ref>  


The strongest single predictor of future falls is a history of previous falls. This is probably because an individual's reason for falling the first time is likely to recur. Assessment of physical functioning is the next strongest predictor and so its inclusion is likely to increase a tool's predictive ability<ref>Sherrington C, Tiedemann A. Physiotherapy in the prevention of falls in older people. Journal of physiotherapy. 2015 Apr 1;61(2):54-60.</ref>. According to NICE (2013) assessment and prevention of falls guidelines, older people in contact with healthcare professionals should be asked routinely whether they have fallen in the past year<ref name=":0">[https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg161 Centre for Clinical Practice at NICE (UK. Falls: Assessment and prevention of falls in older people. 2013].https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg161</ref>.
A range of tools are available to health care providers to identify those at risk of falling. Tools include: Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT); [[Berg Balance Scale]]; [[Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)]]; [[The Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (BOOMER)|The Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (BOOMER).]]
 
Understandably therefore in elderly physiotherapy assessment, there is a lot of focus around patients falls history and often use tools like the Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT). Student and newly qualified physiotherapists, however, don’t often understand why the factors included in falls risk assessments contribute to falls. This document aims to increase understanding of the impact of risk factors for falls in the elderly population.  


=== '''FRAT''' ===
=== '''FRAT''' ===
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* Part 2 – risk factor checklist.  
* Part 2 – risk factor checklist.  
* Part 3 – action plan<ref>Stapleton C, Hough P, Oldmeadow L, Bull K, Hill K, Greenwood K. Four‐item fall risk screening tool for subacute and residential aged care: The first step in fall prevention. Australasian Journal on Ageing. 2009 Sep;28(3):139-43.</ref>.  
* Part 3 – action plan<ref>Stapleton C, Hough P, Oldmeadow L, Bull K, Hill K, Greenwood K. Four‐item fall risk screening tool for subacute and residential aged care: The first step in fall prevention. Australasian Journal on Ageing. 2009 Sep;28(3):139-43.</ref>.  
Within the UK there does not appear to be a standardised falls risk assessment<ref>Matarese M, Ivziku D. Falls risk assessment in older patients in hospital. Nursing Standard. 2016 Jul 27;30(48).</ref>. Policies regarding this tend to be trust specific. The NHS website (2018) does provide a self-assessment based on the FRAT, however from personal experience, the conduction of the FRAT and similar falls-related tools requires clarity and understanding.
[[File:FRAT.jpg]]
[[File:FRAT.jpg]]


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== How Does Medication Affect Falls? ==
== How Does Medication Affect Falls? ==
Medication has long been known to have side effects that can increase the risk of falling. There are many different medications all with different methods of action and side-effects. It’s also important to consider the combinations of different medications that can affect falls. Different classes of drugs can influence falls risks by different mechanisms and thus when combined can majorly increase falls risk.
See [[Medication and Falls]]
 
'''[[Polypharmacy]]''' can typically be defined as a patient using more than 3 or 4 medications at one time and this is important as a study by Dhalwani et al., (2017) found that nearly one-third of the total population taking 5 or more drugs had significantly increased falls rate of 21% in a 2-year period<ref>Dhalwani NN, Fahami R, Sathanapally H, Seidu S, Davies MJ, Khunti K. Association between polypharmacy and falls in older adults: a longitudinal study from England. BMJ open. 2017 Oct 1;7(10):e016358.</ref>.
 
The CDC produced a resource called '''“Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries” (STEADI)''' to provide material to help offer effective interventions to reduce falls risk. They characterise medicines using a 3 point system which can be seen below<ref>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) tool kit for health care providers. National Institute of Health and Human Services, Atlanta. 2013.</ref>.
 
[[File:STEADI.jpg]]
 
=== Understanding Medication Fall Mechanisms ===
Any medication acting on the brain '''(psychotropics''') or affecting the function of the cardiovascular system can increase fall risk. Psychotropics including '''anxiolytics/sedative-hypnotics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and narcotic pain medications''' typically increase risk due to their effects on cognitive function, resulting in sedation, slower reaction times, and impaired balance<ref>De Jong MR, Van der Elst M, Hartholt KA. Drug-related falls in older patients: implicated drugs, consequences, and possible prevention strategies. Therapeutic advances in drug safety. 2013 Aug;4(4):147-54.</ref><ref>Johnell K, Jonasdottir Bergman G, Fastbom J, Danielsson B, Borg N, Salmi P. Psychotropic drugs and the risk of fall injuries, hospitalisations and mortality among older adults. International journal of geriatric psychiatry. 2017 Apr;32(4):414-20.</ref><ref>Seitz D, Iaboni A, Kirkham J. Psychotropic Drugs and Falls in Older Adults: an Update for the Geriatric Psychiatrist. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2017 Mar 1;25(3):S21.</ref>
 
'''Cardiovascular medications''' often either lower blood pressure with subsequent hypotension or affect heart rate, resulting in bradycardia, tachycardia, or periods of asystole<ref>Darowski A, Whiting R. Cardiovascular medication and falls. Reviews in Clinical Gerontology. 2011 May;21(2):170-9.</ref> . Maintaining consciousness and an upright posture requires adequate blood flow to the brain and so drugs affecting this do carry a risk of potential fall, if blood pressure is not kept in the optimal parameters.
 
Recent systematic reviews with meta-analyses have confirmed the effects of medications on increased falls, however, there are still some uncertainties regarding whether all drugs in certain sub-groups have the same effect as others and so further work is needed to address this. A systematic review by De Vries et al., (2018) found that loop diuretics were significantly associated with increased falls risk, beta-blockers significant decrease in falls risk<ref>de Vries M, Seppala LJ, Daams JG, van de Glind EM, Masud T, van der Velde N, Blain H, Bousquet J, Bucht G, Caballero-Mora MA, van der Cammen T. Fall-risk-Increasing drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis: I. cardiovascular drugs. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2018 Apr 1;19(4):371-e1.</ref>. Specific drug properties and method of interaction have an effect. Another recent systematic review by Seppala et al., (2018) '''found antipsychotics, anti-depressants, benzodiazepines have a significant increase in falls risk'''<ref>Seppala LJ, Wermelink AM, de Vries M, Ploegmakers KJ, van de Glind EM, Daams JG, van der Velde N, Blain H, Bousquet J, Bucht G, Caballero-Mora MA. Fall-risk-increasing drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis: II. Psychotropics. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2018 Apr 1;19(4):371-e11.</ref>.
 
== Psychological Status ==
 
=== How Does Psychological State Increase Falls Risk Status? ===
[[File:psychological_state_and_falls.jpg]]


== Cognitive Status ==
== Impact of Cognitive Status on Falls ==
The motor and sensory systems are linked by higher-order neurological processes and cognition.<ref>Purves D, Cabeza R, Huettel SA, LaBar KS, Platt ML, Woldorff MG, Brannon EM. Cognitive neuroscience. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates, Inc; 2008.</ref> Previous research has demonstrated cognition has a key role in the regulation of [[gait]] and [[balance]] in [[Older People - An Introduction|older adults]].<ref>Herman T, Mirelman A, Giladi N, Schweiger A, Hausdorff JM. Executive control deficits as a prodrome to falls in healthy older adults: a prospective study linking thinking, walking, and falling. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2010 May 19;65(10):1086-92.</ref> Increased levels of cognition are required for movement planning and adapting to environmental changes.<ref>Muir SW, Gopaul K, Montero Odasso MM. The role of cognitive impairment in fall risk among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age and ageing. 2012 Feb 27;41(3):299-308.</ref> Therefore, impairments in the cognition increase risk of falling.<ref>Gleason CE, Gangnon RE, Fischer BL, Mahoney JE. Increased risk for falling associated with subtle cognitive impairment: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. 2009;27(6):557-63.</ref>


=== Impact of Cognitive Status on Falls ===
The cognitive test included in the FRAT is the Hodkinson Abbreviated Mental Test Score (ABTS). This test is used to assess for the possibility of dementia and is now sometimes used for other cognitive impairments<ref>Hodkinson HM. Evaluation of a mental test score for assessment of mental impairment in the elderly. Age and ageing. 1972 Nov 1;1(4):233-8.</ref>. Scores indicate the level of impairment, however more rigorous cognitive testing is required to confirm this.
* The motor and sensory systems are linked by higher-order neurological processes and cognition.<ref>Purves D, Cabeza R, Huettel SA, LaBar KS, Platt ML, Woldorff MG, Brannon EM. Cognitive neuroscience. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates, Inc; 2008.</ref>
* Previous research has demonstrated cognition has a key role in the regulation of [[gait]] and [[balance]] in [[Older People - An Introduction|older adults]].<ref>Herman T, Mirelman A, Giladi N, Schweiger A, Hausdorff JM. Executive control deficits as a prodrome to falls in healthy older adults: a prospective study linking thinking, walking, and falling. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2010 May 19;65(10):1086-92.</ref>
* Increased levels of cognition are required for movement planning and adapting to environmental changes.<ref>Muir SW, Gopaul K, Montero Odasso MM. The role of cognitive impairment in fall risk among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age and ageing. 2012 Feb 27;41(3):299-308.</ref>
* Therefore, impairments in the cognition increase risk of falling.<ref>Gleason CE, Gangnon RE, Fischer BL, Mahoney JE. Increased risk for falling associated with subtle cognitive impairment: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. 2009;27(6):557-63.</ref>
* A study (“Gait, Cognition & Decline”) on 2700 older adults with and without dementia showed that adults with dementia fall more than when compared to healthy counterparts.<ref>Allali G, Launay CP, Blumen HM, Callisaya ML, De Cock AM, Kressig RW, Srikanth V, Steinmetz JP, Verghese J, Beauchet O, Biomathics Consortium. Falls, cognitive impairment, and gait performance: results from the GOOD initiative. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2017 Apr 1;18(4):335-40.</ref> 
* Mini-Mntal State Examination (MMSE) score ≤ 24 equates to increased falls risk.<ref>Anstey KJ, Von Sanden C, Luszcz MA. An 8‐year prospective study of the relationship between cognitive performance and falling in very old adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2006 Aug;54(8):1169-76.</ref> 
* Specifically, subjects scoring < 28 on the MMSE demonstrated a nearly three-fold increased risk for falls compared to control subjects whose MMSE was 30/30.<ref>Mahoney JE, Shea TA, Przybelski R, Jaros L, Gangnon R, Cech S, Schwalbe A. Kenosha County Falls Prevention Study: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of an Intermediate‐Intensity, Community‐Based Multifactorial Falls Intervention. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2007 Apr;55(4):489-98.</ref>
* The cognitive test included in the FRAT is the Hodkinson Abbreviated Mental Test Score (ABTS). This test is used to assess for the possibility of dementia and is now sometimes used for other cognitive impairments<ref>Hodkinson HM. Evaluation of a mental test score for assessment of mental impairment in the elderly. Age and ageing. 1972 Nov 1;1(4):233-8.</ref>. Scores indicate the level of impairment, however more rigorous cognitive testing is required to confirm this.  


== Critique of FRAT ==
== Criticism of FRAT ==
Include:
* Risk Factor Checklist (Part 2) fails to appreciate balance specifically. If this was a self-reported concern of the patient, areas of [[proprioception]] and the vestibular system could be objectively looked at in more depth within specialist physiotherapy. assessment.
* Risk Factor Checklist (Part 2) fails to appreciate balance specifically. If this was a self-reported concern of the patient, areas of [[proprioception]] and the vestibular system could be objectively looked at in more depth within specialist physiotherapy. assessment.
* Lacks context – eludes to being objective however fails to provide any guidance on questioning to obtain further information. Area for development – extended box to record subjective and objective measures.
* Lacks context – eludes to being objective however fails to provide any guidance on questioning to obtain further information. Area for development – extended box to record subjective and objective measures.
* NICE guidelines state the FRAT does not assess all the risk variables highlighted in their guidelines for falls prevention. Furthermore, NICE state it should not be relied solely on to assess risk of falls and requires further investigation<ref name=":0" />. If high falls risk is identified, more extensive assessment is required – e.g. Elderly Mobility Scale to provide objective measures that guide physiotherapy treatment.
* NICE guidelines state the FRAT does not assess all the risk variables highlighted in their guidelines for falls prevention. Furthermore, NICE state it should not be relied solely on to assess risk of falls and requires further investigation<ref name=":0">[https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg161 Centre for Clinical Practice at NICE (UK. Falls: Assessment and prevention of falls in older people. 2013].https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg161</ref>. If high falls risk is identified, more extensive assessment is required – e.g. Elderly Mobility Scale to provide objective measures that guide physiotherapy treatment.
* Nowhere to record a collateral history. Having an area to collect information would allow for exploration into issues and areas highlighted in Part 2.
* Nowhere to record a collateral history. Having an area to collect information would allow for exploration into issues and areas highlighted in Part 2.
* ‘History of Falls’ section lacks ability to record detailed mechanics of fall. Tick boxes can be supported by a descriptive component. (See ‘Potential Modifications to the FRAT’).
* ‘History of Falls’ section lacks ability to record detailed mechanics of fall. Tick boxes can be supported by a descriptive component. (See ‘Potential Modifications to the FRAT’).

Revision as of 05:51, 2 November 2022

Original Editor - Shaun Jackson as part of the Northumbria University Innovation and Contemporary Physiotherapy Project

Top Contributors - Kim Jackson, Shaimaa Eldib, Lucinda hampton, Vidya Acharya, Shaun Jackson and Momina Khalid

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Falls are problematic within the elderly population. Falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide. Each year an estimated 684 000 individuals die from falls worldwide. Adults older than 60 years of age experience the greatest number of fatal falls.[1]

A range of tools are available to health care providers to identify those at risk of falling. Tools include: Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT); Berg Balance Scale; Timed Up and Go Test (TUG); The Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (BOOMER).

FRAT[edit | edit source]

It is a 4-item falls-risk screening tool for sub-acute and residential care. The FRAT has three sections:

  • Part 1 - falls risk status.
  • Part 2 – risk factor checklist.
  • Part 3 – action plan[2].

FRAT.jpg

A full copy of the FRAT tool can be accessed via the following link: [1]

How Does Medication Affect Falls?[edit | edit source]

See Medication and Falls

Impact of Cognitive Status on Falls[edit | edit source]

The motor and sensory systems are linked by higher-order neurological processes and cognition.[3] Previous research has demonstrated cognition has a key role in the regulation of gait and balance in older adults.[4] Increased levels of cognition are required for movement planning and adapting to environmental changes.[5] Therefore, impairments in the cognition increase risk of falling.[6]

The cognitive test included in the FRAT is the Hodkinson Abbreviated Mental Test Score (ABTS). This test is used to assess for the possibility of dementia and is now sometimes used for other cognitive impairments[7]. Scores indicate the level of impairment, however more rigorous cognitive testing is required to confirm this.

Criticism of FRAT[edit | edit source]

Include:

  • Risk Factor Checklist (Part 2) fails to appreciate balance specifically. If this was a self-reported concern of the patient, areas of proprioception and the vestibular system could be objectively looked at in more depth within specialist physiotherapy. assessment.
  • Lacks context – eludes to being objective however fails to provide any guidance on questioning to obtain further information. Area for development – extended box to record subjective and objective measures.
  • NICE guidelines state the FRAT does not assess all the risk variables highlighted in their guidelines for falls prevention. Furthermore, NICE state it should not be relied solely on to assess risk of falls and requires further investigation[8]. If high falls risk is identified, more extensive assessment is required – e.g. Elderly Mobility Scale to provide objective measures that guide physiotherapy treatment.
  • Nowhere to record a collateral history. Having an area to collect information would allow for exploration into issues and areas highlighted in Part 2.
  • ‘History of Falls’ section lacks ability to record detailed mechanics of fall. Tick boxes can be supported by a descriptive component. (See ‘Potential Modifications to the FRAT’).
  • Cognitive test included is rather outdated and cannot be relied on to confirm cognitive impairment.
  • Recommendation: carry out with several members of MDT present to incorporate areas of expertise.

Potential Modifications to the FRAT[edit | edit source]

During the process of evaluating the FRAT, there is a perceived lack of depth pertaining to the falls section. It is proposed that some amendments could be made to this in order to improve clarity and increase information and reliability.

Current ‘History of Falls’ Section:

FRAT falls history.jpg

Potential Developments:

FRAT falls history improved.jpg

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ WHO Falls Available:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls (accessed 2.11.2022)
  2. ↑ Stapleton C, Hough P, Oldmeadow L, Bull K, Hill K, Greenwood K. Four‐item fall risk screening tool for subacute and residential aged care: The first step in fall prevention. Australasian Journal on Ageing. 2009 Sep;28(3):139-43.
  3. ↑ Purves D, Cabeza R, Huettel SA, LaBar KS, Platt ML, Woldorff MG, Brannon EM. Cognitive neuroscience. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates, Inc; 2008.
  4. ↑ Herman T, Mirelman A, Giladi N, Schweiger A, Hausdorff JM. Executive control deficits as a prodrome to falls in healthy older adults: a prospective study linking thinking, walking, and falling. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2010 May 19;65(10):1086-92.
  5. ↑ Muir SW, Gopaul K, Montero Odasso MM. The role of cognitive impairment in fall risk among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age and ageing. 2012 Feb 27;41(3):299-308.
  6. ↑ Gleason CE, Gangnon RE, Fischer BL, Mahoney JE. Increased risk for falling associated with subtle cognitive impairment: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. 2009;27(6):557-63.
  7. ↑ Hodkinson HM. Evaluation of a mental test score for assessment of mental impairment in the elderly. Age and ageing. 1972 Nov 1;1(4):233-8.
  8. ↑ Centre for Clinical Practice at NICE (UK. Falls: Assessment and prevention of falls in older people. 2013.https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg161
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