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.
Differences between risk factors for falling in homebound diabetics and non-diabetics
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Created on 8/1/2009
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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.