GAIT SPEED AND MOBILITY PERFORMANCE AMONG FALLERS AND NON-FALLERS COMMUNITYDWELLING ELDERLY FILIPINOS: A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Southeast Asia is experiencing a significant rise in the population of elderly individuals, particularly in the Philippines. Thus, screening and monitoring mobility restrictions in elderly people are critical in order to provide effective measures as well as prompt and timely interventions. Methods: The study used a quantitative, non-experimental, comparative, and cross-sectional design. Filipino community-dwelling elderly individuals who were aged 60-79 years old, had no significant disability, and residing in a municipality of the National Capital Region (n=152), participated in the study. Researchers measured mobility performance using Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUGT). While, gait speed was measured using iWalkAssess application to administer 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT). Preliminary reference values for the mobility-specific tests were presented as means, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals. Findings were compared between Faller and Non-Faller groups. Results: Fallers demonstrated consistently higher scores compared to their non-Faller counterparts on the TUGT (P-value < 0.05). While there are significantly lower scores in 10MWT among Fallers than in Non-Fallers (P-value < 0.05). Furthermore, the Faller group revealed to have a Timed Up and Go Test mean (SD) score of 13.32 ± 1.41, while there is a reported 0.92 ± 0.15 mean (SD) score in 10-Meter Walk Test. Discussion: The study provides preliminary evidence on the differences in gait speed and mobility performance among community-dwelling elderly individuals who are Fallers and Non-Fallers. Hence, Filipino community-dwelling elderly individuals who are classified as Fallers revealed to have a slower gait speed than Non-Faller community-dwelling older adults. Also, results suggested that Non-Fallers have a better mobility performance than the Faller population.