Physical activity fragmentation and falls in older adults: findings from the national health and aging trends study

Source: The Journal of Gerontology series A

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Date of publication: 11 May 2024

 Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Physical activity (PA) may be an important fall prevention strategy. Current PA guidelines emphasize total PA dose, but daily patterning of PA is underappreciated. With aging, PA bouts become less frequent and shorter in duration (i.e.: more fragmented). PA fragmentation may be an indicator of fall risk, but the relationship is not well understood. This study examined daily PA accumulation and patterns with fall risk in older adults.

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Are population-based interventions (those aimed at entire communities rather than individuals) helpful in preventing falls and fall-related injuries in older people?

Source: The Cochrane Library

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Date of publication: 5 January 2024

 Publication type: Rewview

In a nutshell: Falls in older people are very common. Approximately one-third of people 65 years of age or older fall each year, and some older people may have several falls each year. Falls in older people can be very serious and may lead to broken bones and treatment in hospital. A bad fall may seriously affect someone’s quality of life and possibly lead to a long recovery. Because falls in older people may need treatment in hospital, including surgery for broken bones, they also cost healthcare services large amounts of money. Finding ways to prevent falls will benefit older people as well as reduce the burden of falls in healthcare services.

 Length of publication: 78 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

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Effectiveness of nursing interventions in the prevention of falls in older adults in the community and in health care settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCT

Source: Enfermeria Clinica (English edition)

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Date of publication: 5 January 2024

 Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: To estimate the effectiveness of fall prevention programs in people aged 65 years and older involving nursing professionals.

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Some important notes: Feel free to disseminate if you think someone would benefit from receiving this posting. Contact us at olivia.schaff@mft.nhs.uk if you would like to be added to the distribution list.

Improving older adults’ functional health using the progressive stay strong, stay healthy program

Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology

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Date of publication:  October 5 2023

 Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study assessed the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy (SSSH) level two resistance training program in 406 older adults (69.3 ± 8.1 years). SSSH included 10 exercises completed during 60 minute sessions, which were offered twice weekly for eight weeks. 30-second sit-to-stand (30STS), timed-up-and-go (TUG), flexibility, and balance poses were completed pre/post-SSSH. Paired t-tests with Bonferroni corrections showed the whole group improved 30STS, TUG, flexibility, and total balance scores over time (p < .001). Repeated measures analyses of variance showed both geography and age groups improved 30STS, TUG, flexibility, and total balance scores over time (all time effects p ≤ .039). Independent t-tests showed rural participants improved to a similar or greater absolute extent than their urban neighbors for nearly all measures and all age groups improved to a similar absolute magnitude over time. This study demonstrates SSSH level two improves physical function in older adults and these benefits are similar across geography and age groups.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Some important notes: Feel free to disseminate if you think someone would benefit from receiving this posting. Contact us at olivia.schaff@mft.nhs.uk if you would like to be added to the distribution list.

Group Model Building on causes and interventions for falls in Singapore: insights from a systems thinking approach

Source: BMC Geriatrics

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Date of publication: 22 September 2023, Vol. 23 Number 586

 Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls in older adults are the result of a complex web of interacting causes, that further results in other physical, emotional, and psychological sequelae. A conceptual framework that represents the reciprocal dynamics of these causal factors can enable clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to clarify goals in falls intervention in older adults.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Some important notes: Feel free to disseminate if you think someone would benefit from receiving this posting. Contact us at olivia.schaff@mft.nhs.uk if you would like to be added to the distribution list.

Characteristics of falls and their fear in older adults requiring long-term care

Source: The Journal of Physical Therapy Science

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Date of publication: August 2023 vol. 35 iss. 8 pps. 560-563

 Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Older adults requiring long-term care have a higher rate of falls than older adults who do not. This study aimed to examine the relationship between falls and fear of falling and their characteristics from the perspective of older adults requiring long-term care based on a sub-item in the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale. 

 Length of publication: 3 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Association between concerns about falling and risk of injurious falls in older adults: the role of balance impairment

Source: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

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Date of publication: 16 August 2023 (in press)

 Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: We aimed to examine the extent to which concerns about falling are associated with the risk of injurious falls in older adults, and to explore the role of balance impairment in this association.

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Integrating STEADI for falls prevention in outpatient rehabilitation clinics: an outcomes evaluation using the RE-AIM framework

Source: The Gerontologist

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Date of publication: 28 August 2023

 Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework was used to describe implementation of the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) Initiative (years 2018-2021) for screening and assessing all older adults > 65 years for falls risk across 34 outpatient rehabilitation clinics within a large health system.

 Length of publication: 37 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.