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The relationship between specific cognitive functions and falls in aging
Holtzer R, Friedman R, Lipton RB, Katz M, Xue X, Verghese J.. Neuropsychology, 2007-09-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
The current study examined the relationship between cognitive function and falls in older people who did not meet criteria for dementia or mild cognitive impairment (N = 172). To address limitations of previous research, the authors controlled for the confounding effects of gait measures and other risk factors by means of associations between cognitive function and falls. A neuropsychological test battery was submitted to factor analysis, yielding 3 orthogonal factors (Verbal IQ, Speed/Executive Attention, Memory). Single and recurrent falls within the last 12 months were evaluated. The authors hypothesized that Speed/Executive Attention would be associated with falls. Additionally, the authors assessed whether associations between different cognitive functions and falls varied depending on whether single or recurrent falls were examined. Multivariate logistic regressions showed that lower scores on Speed/Executive Attention were associated with increased risk of single and recurrent falls. Lower scores on Verbal IQ were related only to increased risk of recurrent falls. Memory was not associated with either single or recurrent falls. These findings are relevant to risk assessment and prevention of falls and point to possible shared neural substrates of cognitive and motor function.
Key findings
- The authors hypothesized that Speed/Executive Attention would be associated with falls.
- Multivariate logistic regressions showed that lower scores on Speed/Executive Attention were associated with increased risk of single and recurrent falls.
- Lower scores on Verbal IQ were related only to increased risk of recurrent falls.
- Memory was not associated with either single or recurrent falls.
- These findings are relevant to risk assessment and prevention of falls and point to possible shared neural substrates of cognitive and motor function.
Why it matters
In older people without dementia or mild cognitive impairment, lower scores on Speed/Executive Attention were associated with increased risk of single and recurrent falls, while memory was not associated with falls. This is relevant to fall risk assessment but does not address treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Participants172
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 49/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neuropsychology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Neuropsychology: journal h-index 183 (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 | 2007 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 172 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 292 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 13.9 citations a year over 21 year(s) since 2007 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 37.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 29 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Joe Verghese: h-index 85 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine: institution h-index 973 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 17784802) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 49 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
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.
APA 7th
Holtzer, R., Friedman, R., Lipton, R. B., Katz, M., Xue, X., & Verghese, J. (2007). The relationship between specific cognitive functions and falls in aging. Neuropsychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/0894-4105.21.5.540
Vancouver
Holtzer R, Friedman R, Lipton RB, Katz M, Xue X, Verghese J. The relationship between specific cognitive functions and falls in aging. Neuropsychology. 2007. doi:10.1037/0894-4105.21.5.540. PMID: 17784802.
BibTeX
@article{holtzer2007-17784802,
author = {Holtzer, R. and Friedman, R. and Lipton, R. B. and Katz, M. and Xue, X. and Verghese, J.},
title = {{The relationship between specific cognitive functions and falls in aging}},
journal = {Neuropsychology},
year = {2007},
doi = {10.1037/0894-4105.21.5.540},
pmid = {17784802},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1037/0894-4105.21.5.540}
}
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