A scoping review of machine learning models to predict risk of falls in elders, without using sensor data

Objectives: This scoping review assesses machine learning (ML) tools that predicted falls, relying on information in health records without using any sensor data. The aim was to assess the available evidence on innovative techniques to improve fall prevention management. Methods: Studies were included if they focused on predicting fall risk with machine learning in elderly populations and were written in English. There were 13 different extracted variables, including population characteristics (community dwelling, inpatients, age range, main pathology, ethnicity/race). Furthermore, the number of variables used in the final models, as well as their type, was extracted. Results: A total of 6331 studies were retrieved, and 19 articles met criteria for data extraction. Metric performances reported by authors were commonly high in terms of accuracy (e.g., greater than 0.70). The most represented features included cardiovascular status and mobility assessments. Common gaps identified included a lack of transparent reporting and insufficient fairness assessments. Conclusions: This review provides evidence that falls can be predicted using ML without using sensors if the amount of data and its quality is adequate. However, further studies are needed to validate these models in diverse groups and populations.