Abstract
[Purpose] The relationship between occlusal force and fall risk was studied in order to verify the usefulness of occlusal force measurements as a fall risk assessment. [Subjects] Fifty-five frail elderly persons (average age, 83.0 ± 5.7 years) receiving day-care services participated in this study. [Methods] Fall risk was assessed using the Fall Risk Index-21 (FRI-21). The occlusal force of the participants was measured using a commercial occlusal force meter, GM10. The number of residual teeth, leg strength, grip strength, one-leg standing time with the eyes open, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and Functional Reach Test (FRT) were also assessed as fall-related factors. Items independently associated with FRI-21 were extracted in stepwise multiple regression analysis. [Results] TUG and occlusal force were found to be independently associated with FRI-21. [Conclusion] These results suggest that occlusal force is a useful assessment of the fall risk of the frail elderly.
