Setting the criteria for the MATHOV + QAVS tool: Qualitative and quantitative aspects for wearable fall prediction

Abstract

For the first time in history, the world shows a clear trend towards aging. This poses an intrinsic hazard for the ever growing population, which becomes more vulnerable to common age-related illnesses and conditions. One of the most serious risks elders face is falling, as it is responsible for countless admissions to geriatric care institutions and thousands of deaths each year. In an effort to improve elders' safety and quality of life many groups have address the fall prevention issue, coming to several different results as of what variables are the most important to consider in a fall prediction tool. These variables range from qualitative aspects (history of falls, dementia, use of medication, etc.) to quantitative ones (total walked distance per day, walking cadence, center of mass, etc.), but none of them per se seems to deliver a definite and complete answer to the problem at hand. The paper herein aims to present a new hybrid approach, which combines both the highest co-related qualitative and quantitative biovariables in a single tool: the MATHOV + QAVS, which is proposed as a new fall assessment screening tool and eventually as baseline criteria for a complete elder fall prediction system. Copyright