Recreating Fall Risk Appraisal matrix using R to support fall prevention programs.

Objective: This study aimed to optimize Fall Risk Appraisal (FRA) graphing for use in intervention programs tailored toward reducing the fall risk of older adults by using computing graphic functions in the R language.
Materials and Methods: We utilized RStudio, a free development environment for the R language, as well as the functions within the "ggplot2" and "grid" packages, to develop a code that would recreate the FRA matrix for use in data visualization and analysis, as well as feedback for older adults.
Results: The developed code successfully recreates the FRA matrix in R and allows researchers and clinicians to graph participant data onto the matrix itself.
Discussion: The use of an R code allows for a streamlined approach to manipulating the FRA matrix for use in data visualization and feedback for older adults, which improves upon the traditional paper-pencil method that has been previously used.
Conclusions: The code presented in this study recreates the FRA matrix instrument in the R language and gives researchers the ability to instantaneously add, remove, or change different aspects of the instrument to improve its readability for researchers and older adults.
Competing Interests: The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The organizations mentioned had no roles in the design of this study.
(© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Medical Informatics Association.)