Differences between risk factors for falling in homebound diabetics and non-diabetics

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Sara James Migliarese (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Kathleen Williams

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the differences in fall risk factors between diabetic and non-diabetic homebound adults in a population identified at high risk for falls. The sample compared 210 non-diabetic homebound adults to 74 diabetic homebound adults. Five research hypotheses supported this study. It was hypothesized that, 1) incidence and severity of somatosensory changes in the feet of diabetics surpassed that of non-diabetics; 2) incidence of lower leg and foot pain in diabetics surpassed that of non-diabetics; 3) deficits in sensory integration would be greater in diabetics than non-diabetics; 4) balance deficits were more evident in diabetics and non-diabetics; and 5) fear of falling was more prominent in diabetics than in non-diabetics. An one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in sensation between groups, with diabetics reporting less sensation than non-diabetics in all age categories. A small effect size limited external validity. No other significant differences emerged for the other fall risk factors. Gender and age category failed to influence differences between diagnostic groups.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2009
Keywords
Diabetics, Falls, Homebound
Subjects
Diabetes $x Complications $x Risk factors.
Falls (Accidents) $x Risk factors.
Diabetics $x Physiology.

Email this document to