Impaired set shifting is associated with previous falls in individuals with and without Parkinson's disease.

This was a cross-sectional baseline analysis, so it links set shifting to previous falls but cannot show that set shifting caused falls or predicts future falls. Falls were self-reported for the previous six months, and the authors noted possible misclassification and selection concerns because participants had volunteered for fall-risk-modifying rehabilitation. The study was exploratory and had no a priori power analysis. Freezing status was classified from questionnaire or rating scale items, and the authors said this classification was likely imperfect. Berg Balance Scale and gait speed were not controlled in the main models because impaired performance could have resulted from previous falls. The set-shifting association was modest compared with Parkinson's disease and freezing associations. Participants had to walk at least 3 meters and did not have dementia or significant musculoskeletal impairment, so results may not apply to more impaired people.

The supplied text does not include a funding or conflict-of-interest declaration. The publication types list NIH extramural research support and U.S. government non-PHS research support.

Do not conclude that improving set shifting will prevent falls. The study was cross-sectional, used self-reported previous falls, and did not test an intervention. The set-shifting association was also weaker than Parkinson's disease and freezing associations.