Effectiveness of physical activity training and follow-up in older adults at risk for falls running head: Effectiveness of physical activity training program and follow-up

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

This non-randomized study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based physical activity training program-focused on lower extremity strengthening and balance – combined with follow-up support in older adults at risk for falls. Older adults who presented to the physical therapy and rehabilitation clinic of a university hospital and were determined to be at risk of falling constituted the study population. A total of 94 community-dwelling older adults at risk for falls were recruited from a university hospital’s physical therapy and rehabilitation clinic. Older adults were divided into two study groups before the intervention. Participants in the intervention group (n = 47) received face-to-face training on a physical activity program based on OTAGO. The training, which was carried out three days a week for a period of 12 weeks, was intended to increase patients’ mobility and balance levels. A reminder message was sent to the phones of the participants in the intervention group. Routine procedures were applied to the control group (n = 47) without the training program. Both groups underwent follow-up assessments at four-week intervals, concluding at 12 weeks. The Tandem Walk Test, the Tinetti Balance and Gait Test, the Timed Up and Go test, the Falls Efficacy Scale-International, and the Tetrax® Static Posturography Device were used for data collection. The mean age of the participants was 70.18 ± 5.40 years, 85% were female, 65.96% had a chronic disease, 68.90% used medications regularly, 76.60% used eyeglasses, 81.91% did not need assistive devices for walking, and 65.96% did not have a history of falling in the last 12 months. The intervention significantly reduced the risk of falls, decreased fear of falling, and improved functional mobility in older adults compared to the control group (p < .05). This study suggested that the 12-week physical activity training program (lower extremity strengthening and balance) and follow-up were effective in reducing the risk of falls, the fear of falling, and ensuring the functional mobility in older adults.