Elderly, Fall, Fall Risk
Conditions
Keywords
Prevention, Active Ageing, Fall, Fall Risk, Exercise Programs
Brief summary
Background: Falls are a problem among the elderly population, it is known that currently about 30% of people over 65 years falls every year. The European Union estimates a cost of € 281 per inhabitant per year and a cost of € 25 billion per year for health care1 which translates into a significant economic impact. The World Health Organization2 argues that it is possible to reduce these costs through prevention and health promotion strategies. For this, it is important to raise awareness, evaluate risk factors and identify and implement intervention programs. Objective: To test the effect of an exercise program on the prevention of risk of fall. Methods: This study, which lasted 4 months, was experimental, prospective. The experimental group (EG) performed an exercise program and the control group (CG) maintained their usual routine. For the measurement and evaluation of the variables under study, were used: sociodemographic data questionnaire, self-efficacy for exercise scale, Portuguese version of the falls efficacy scale (FES), 10m walking speed (WS), Timed Up & Go test (TUG), step test and Hercules® Force Platform (static balance). A significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05) was considered for all comparisons.
Interventions
Intervention group has been submitted to an exercise program directed to prevent and reduce fall risk
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* age equal or superior to 55 * community dwelling individuals
Exclusion criteria
* comprehension deficit * significative heart disease * restrictive breath disease
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from baseline Force Platform at 4 months | 0 and 4 months | Static balance |
| Change from baseline Timed Up&Go at 4 months | 0 and 4 months | Dynamic balance |
| Change from baseline Step test at 4 months | 0 and 4 months | Muscular strength, motor coordination e inferior limb's agility |
| Change from baseline 10-meters walking test at 4 months | 0 and 4 months | Walking speed |
| Change from baseline FES at 4 months | 0 and 4 months | Fear of falling related by individuals and by their Daily live activity's execution |
| Change from baseline Self efficacy for exercise at 4 months | 0 and 4 months | Self efficacy for exercise |
| Change from baseline Exercise program adherence at 4 months | 0 and 4 months | Exercise program adherence 8number of sessions) |