Falls In Spanish People With Intellectual Disabilities: Risk Factors And Predictive Equation. Falls.Di Study

Accidental falls occurring to participants will be recorded for 12 months after the initial assessment. Falls resulting from seizures, fainting, and intentional pushing by other residents will be excluded.

Sociodemographic data such as age, sex and level of intellectual disability will be collected from the participants' medical history following the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-V.

Information about the presence of the following comorbidities will be collected from participants' medical histories.

The participant's medical record indicates whether or not they have the diseases listed here. If a disease is present, the researcher will note it in the data collection notebook as if the participant has that disease: heart problems, high blood pressure, visual and/or hearing problems, neurological diseases, origin of intellectual disability, diabetes, arthritis/arthrosis, hemiplegia/hemiparesis, use of orthopedic footwear, attention deficit, number and type of medication.

The center's physiotherapist will assess the participant's gait. She will observe whether they shuffle their feet, keep their feet close together, or follow any established neurological pattern.

To assess the participant's dynamic balance, the physiotherapist will ask the person to walk on mats, go up and down stairs, and go up and down ramps. If the participant is able to perform the requested action, it will be considered that the participant has good balance.

To assess the participant's ability to overcome obstacles on the ground, the physiotherapist will ask the person to try to cross an obstacle (like a fence) at 5, 10, 15 and 17 cm in height.

To assess the participant's stability limits, they will be asked to pick up an object that the physiotherapist will have placed on the floor. If the person is able to pick it up, it will be considered a successful attempt.

The standardized Tinetti Test will be used to assess balance. The Tinetti test, also known as the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), evaluates fall risk through two sections: balance and gait, using a hard, armless chair and a 4.5-meter walkway. The balance section assesses sitting balance, rising, standing with eyes open and closed, and turning, while the gait section evaluates walking speed, step symmetry, path, and trunk sway. A total score of 25 or less indicates an increased fall risk, with scores below 19 showing high risk.

The standardized Timed Up and Go test will be used to assess walking ability. Any assistive device used for walking should be nearby. Regular footwear and customary walking aids should be used. The patient should walk to a line that is 3 meters (9.8 feet) away, turn around at the line, walk back to the chair, and sit down. The test ends when the patient's buttocks touch the seat.