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Life in Balance
Julie A. Honaker, Robin E. Criter, Jessie N. Patterson. ASHA Leader, 2013-12-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
The fall caused a sprained wrist and significant bruising to her hip, and although her scrapes and bruises healed, she was left with an overwhelming fear of falling again. G.’s increased dependence and fear of falling have, unfortunately, put her at an increased risk that her fear will come true. Reduced ability to perform daily activities, compromised quality of life and increased risk of future falls. Fall risk factors Factors that may put a person at risk for falling include reduced vestibular and balance function, which results in unstable vision when the head is in motion and increased postural sway when standing and walking. Normal age-related physiologic changes can result in slower reflexes, increased postural sway, decreased muscle and bone strength, and poor visual acuity—and all contribute to the risk of falling. And living a more sedentary lifestyle often results in decreased muscle tone, strength and overall endurance—which further increase risk. Although a majority of falls result from personal factors, environmental factors also are a common cause. Although the risk of falling increases with advanced age, younger patients—particularly those with significant vestibular or balance difficulties and/or any of the factors outlined above—also may be at risk of falling and present with significant falling concerns. In a recent survey (in Jessie Patterson and Julie Honaker’s in-press article in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology; see sources online), more than two-thirds of audiologists indicated that they do not ask questions about falls, suggesting that administering an in-depth interview may present a problem for time-challenged professionals. The same survey also suggests that many audiologists only incorporate falls prevention in vestibular and balance clinics. However, audiologists in general practice are in a unique position to recognize potential falling risk factors—especially hearing loss—and can make direct recommendations, including hearing amplification to better localize sound, and improve overall quality of life. Employing a family-centered care approach significantly improves quality of life and therapeutic outcomes and, therefore, audiologists also should ask family members and caregivers questions about falls and falling concerns. A team approach to assessment, management and education of risks can make significant improvements in patients’ quality of life.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Honaker, J. A., Criter, R. E., & Patterson, J. N. (2013). Life in Balance. ASHA Leader. https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.ftr1.18122013.40
Vancouver
Honaker JA, Criter RE, Patterson JN. Life in Balance. ASHA Leader. 2013. doi:10.1044/leader.ftr1.18122013.40.
BibTeX
@article{honaker2013-35618f91,
author = {Honaker, Julie A. and Criter, Robin E. and Patterson, Jessie N.},
title = {{Life in Balance}},
journal = {ASHA Leader},
year = {2013},
doi = {10.1044/leader.ftr1.18122013.40},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.ftr1.18122013.40}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- The fall caused a sprained wrist and significant bruising to her hip, and although her scrapes and bruises healed, she was left with an overwhelming fear of falling again.
- G.’s increased dependence and fear of falling have, unfortunately, put her at an increased risk that her fear will come true.
- Reduced ability to perform daily activities, compromised quality of life and increased risk of future falls.
- Fall risk factors Factors that may put a person at risk for falling include reduced vestibular and balance function, which results in unstable vision when the head is in motion and increased postural sway when standing and walking.
- Normal age-related physiologic changes can result in slower reflexes, increased postural sway, decreased muscle and bone strength, and poor visual acuity—and all contribute to the risk of falling.
Why it matters
This article describes risk factors for falls, such as reduced balance and muscle strength, and the fear of falling again. It does not report any findings on treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 26/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (ASHA Leader) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | ASHA Leader: journal h-index 30 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2013 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 5 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.3 citations a year over 15 year(s) since 2013 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Jessie N. Patterson: h-index 10 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Nebraska–Lincoln: institution h-index 807 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 26 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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