Inability to Perform the Repeated Chair Stand Task Predicts Fall-Related Injury in Older Primary Care Patients.

The study observed participants over time; it did not assign treatments, so it cannot show that the chair stand task caused fall-related injury. The chair stand component score analysis did not reach significance, and the main positive result came from an additional model grouping participants as able or unable to perform the task. Fall injuries were reported through quarterly phone calls, and some participants could not be reached, which may have underreported injuries. Participants defined injury themselves, so minor injuries may have been reported as injuries and significant injuries may have been overlooked. The cohort was mostly white older adults at risk for mobility decline, so the results may not apply to all community-dwelling older adults. Six participants were excluded from the models because of missing data, withdrawal, or death before the first follow-up call. The models examined time to first fall-related injury, not recurrent fall injuries. The balance component result comparing a score of 0 with a score of 1 rested on only 4 participants with a score of 0.

The paper lists NIH extramural research support. The supplied text does not include an author conflict-of-interest declaration.

Do not conclude that a low chair stand score predicts fall-related injury. The chair stand component score was not a significant predictor, and the positive finding was for inability to perform the task, not for lower scores.