Fall Prevention in a Primary Care Setting
Siegrist M, Freiberger E, Geilhof B, Salb J, Hentschke C, Landendoerfer P, Linde K, Halle M, Blank WA (2016)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2016
Journal
Book Volume: 113
Pages Range: 365-72
Journal Issue: 21
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0365
Abstract
Falls and fall-related injuries are common in community-dwelling elderly people. Effective multifactorial fall prevention programs in the primary care setting may be a promising approach to reduce the incidence rate of falls.In a cluster randomized trial in 33 general practices 378 people living independently and at high risk of falling (65 to 94 years old; 285 women) were allocated to either a 16 week exercise-based fall prevention program including muscle strengthening and challenging balance training exercises, combined with a 12 week home-based exercise program (222 participants), or to usual care (156 participants). The main outcome was number of falls over a period of 12 months. Secondary outcomes were the number of fall-related injuries, physical function (Timed-Up-and-Go-Test, TUG, Chair-Stand-Test, CST, modified Romberg Test), and fear of falling.In the intervention group (n=222 patients in 17 general practices) 291 falls occurred, compared to 367 falls in the usual care group (n=156 patients in 16 general practices). We observed a lower incidence rate for falls in the intervention group (incidence rate ratio/IRR: 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI): [0.35; 0.84], p=0.007) and for fall-related injuries (IRR: 0.66; [0.42; 0.94], p=0.033). Additionally, patients in the intervention group showed significant improvements in secondary endpoints (TUG: -2.39 s, [-3.91; -0.87], p=0.014; mRomberg: 1.70 s, [0.35; 3.04], p=0.037; fear of falling: -2.28 points, [-3.87; -0.69], p=0.022) compared to usual care.A complex falls prevention program in a primary care setting was effective in reducing falls and fall-related injuries in community dwelling older adults at risk.
Authors with CRIS profile
Ellen Freiberger
Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin (Geriatrie)
Johannes Salb
Institut für Biomedizin des Alterns
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Siegrist, M., Freiberger, E., Geilhof, B., Salb, J., Hentschke, C., Landendoerfer, P.,... Blank, W.A. (2016). Fall Prevention in a Primary Care Setting. Deutsches Ärzteblatt international, 113(21), 365-72. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2016.0365
MLA:
Siegrist, Monika, et al. "Fall Prevention in a Primary Care Setting." Deutsches Ärzteblatt international 113.21 (2016): 365-72.
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