Fall Risk and Physical/Occupational Therapy Referral Patterns in Older Adults with Mild Traumatic Brain…

Cohort studyJournal of neurotrauma· Jun 2026

Fall Risk and Physical/Occupational Therapy Referral Patterns in Older Adults with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Jennifer S Albrecht, Odessa Addison, Leland E Dibble … Peter C Fino

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Brain Injury MedicineCohort studyQ1IF 4.0

Only 24% of older adults with fall-related mild TBI got discharge PT/OT referral.

Fall Risk and Physical/Occupational Therapy Referral Patterns in Older Adults with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Jennifer S Albrecht … Peter C Fino

Journal of neurotrauma · Jun 2026

Background

Falls are the primary cause of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) among older adults, yet limited research has examined patterns of clinical care, mobility, and subsequent fall risk in this population.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate outpatient physical or occupational therapy (PT/OT) referral patterns and assess physical function and fall risk status of older adults with mTBI.

Methods

Participants ( n = 141) were on average 76.1 (standard deviation 7.3) years old and 56.0% female.

n = 141

Results

24%

most were discharged without PT/OT referral despite mobility and balance deficits

n = 141

More results

Of 625 that were confirmed eligible, 155 consented to participate in the study.

Falls were the primary cause of mTBI (89%).

More results

At the 2-week assessment, participants demonstrated poor physical performance: 53% had impaired Short Physical Performance Battery (<10), 62% had impaired Four-Square Step Test (>15 sec), and 65% had slow gait speeds (<0.80 m/s), all indicative of elevated fall risk.

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Conclusion

This critical gap in post-discharge rehabilitation underscores a disconnect between fall-prevention guidelines and clinical practice, leaving many older adults at high risk of recurrent falls and injuries.

Fall Risk and Physical/Occupational Therapy Referral Patterns in Older Adults with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Fall Risk and Physical/Occupational Therapy Referral Patterns in Older Adults with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

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