scholarly journals Feasibility Study of a Digital Health Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults (Preprint)

10.2196/30558 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Jacobson ◽  
Lauren Foster ◽  
Hari Arul ◽  
Amanda Rees ◽  
Randall S Stafford
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Fall Prevention Program

scholarly journals A Digital Health Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults: Feasibility Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L Jacobson ◽  
Lauren C Foster ◽  
Hari Arul ◽  
Amanda Rees ◽  
Randall S Stafford
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Fall Rate ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Fall Prevention Program ◽  
Ratio Change

BACKGROUND About 1 in 3 adults aged 65 and older falls annually. Exercise interventions are effective in reducing the fall risk and fall rate among older adults. In 2020, startup company Age Bold Inc. disseminated the Bold Fall Prevention Program, aiming to reduce falls among older adults through a remotely delivered, digital exercise program. OBJECTIVE We conducted a feasibility study to assess the delivery of the Bold Fall Prevention Program remotely and evaluate the program's impact on 2 primary outcomes—annualized fall rate and weekly minutes of physical activity (PA)—over 6 months of follow-up. METHODS Older adults at high risk of falling were screened and recruited for the feasibility study via nationwide digital advertising strategies. Self-reported outcomes were collected via surveys administered at the time of enrollment and after 3 and 6 months. Responses were used to calculate changes in the annualized fall rate and minutes of PA per week. RESULTS The remote delivery of a progressive digital fall prevention program and associated research study, including remote recruitment, enrollment, and data collection, was deemed feasible. Participants successfully engaged at home with on-demand video exercise classes, self-assessments, and online surveys. We enrolled 65 participants, of whom 48 (74%) were women, and the average participant age was 72.6 years. Of the 65 participants, 54 (83%) took at least 1 exercise class, 40 (62%) responded to at least 1 follow-up survey at either 3 or 6 months, 20 (31%) responded to both follow-up surveys, and 25 (39%) were lost to follow-up. Among all participants who completed at least 1 follow-up survey, weekly minutes of PA increased by 182% (ratio change=2.82, 95% CI 1.26-6.37, n=35) from baseline and annualized falls per year decreased by 46% (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=0.54, 95% CI 0.32-0.90, n=40). Among only 6-month survey responders (n=31, 48%), weekly minutes of PA increased by 206% (ratio change=3.06, 95% CI 1.43-6.55) from baseline to 6 months (n=30, 46%) and the annualized fall rate decreased by 28% (IRR=0.72, 95% CI 0.42-1.23) from baseline to 6 months. CONCLUSIONS The Bold Fall Prevention Program provides a feasible strategy to increase PA and reduce the burden of falls among older adults.

scholarly journals A Feasibility Study of Multi-Component Fall Prevention for Homebound Older Adults Facilitated by Lay Coaches and Using a Tablet-Based, Gamified Exercise Application

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482199102
Author(s):  
Namkee G. Choi ◽  
Emma Stanmore ◽  
Julieta Caamano ◽  
Kelly Vences ◽  
Nancy M. Gell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Mobility Limitations ◽  
Fall Prevention Program ◽  
Ambulation Training ◽  
Homebound Older Adults

Although homebound older adults face high risk for falls, they are unable to utilize community-based fall prevention programs due to their mobility limitations. In this article, we report a feasibility study of a four-session, multicomponent fall prevention program for low-income homebound older adults using pre, post, mixed-method design. The manualized program was delivered by lay coaches who were trained and supervised by a physical therapist. The program also used an iPad-based gamified strength and balance exercise app (called KOKU) that was operable without the need to connect to the internet. Participants ( N = 28) in this study were highly receptive to the program and approved all components: psychoeducation, the KOKU app, home-safety checks, safe ambulation training, and medication review. The study showed that a brief, multi-component fall prevention program for homebound older adults is feasible and acceptable. Further research is needed to evaluate its effectiveness.

Causes, Consequences, and Fall Prevention Preferences for Adults in Mid-Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512505114p1-7512505114p1
Author(s):  
Meredith H. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Preliminary Data ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Fall Prevention Program ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
Primary Author

Abstract Date Presented 04/20/21 Most research studying fall experiences and fall prevention program preferences focuses on older adults, overlooking the falls that occur in midlife. This pilot study gathered preliminary data on fall experiences, consequences, and fall prevention preferences of adults in midlife. Almost all participants experienced functional consequences from their fall and had interest in learning about fall prevention, suggesting that fall prevention programs could be beneficial for middle-aged adults. Primary Author and Speaker: Meredith H. Lee Additional Authors and Speakers: Rachel Reed Contributing Authors: Samantha Grant, Jodi Thomas, and Roy St. Laurent

Social Support as a Moderator in a Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults

2008 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuyuki Fukukawa ◽  
Rumi Kozakai ◽  
Naoakira Niino ◽  
Yukiko Nishita ◽  
Fujiko Ando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Fall Prevention Program

Development of a Community-Based Fall Prevention Program: Stay in Balance

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harriet G. Williams ◽  
Gerhild Ullmann
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Local Service ◽  
Support Materials ◽  
Fall Prevention Program ◽  
Program Content ◽  
Evidenced Based

Background:Falls and fall-related injuries are critical issues for older adults; evidence indicates that multidimensional interventions that address modifiable risk factors can be successful in reducing falls. Few evidence-based fall prevention interventions exist due, in part, to complex issues associated with development and implementation. There is a need for a variety of such programs from which older adults may choose. We describe steps, outcomes, and issues involved in developing/implementing an evidenced-based fall prevention program in community settings.Methods:The Stay In Balance program (SIB), developed by a team of professionals, local service providers and active older adults, was carried out with total of 135 older adults in several steps: developing objectives and program content, laboratory-based randomized controlled trial (RCT), pilot program in the community, community-based RCT, and implementation at 2 community sites.Results:Each step in development provided useful and different insights into needed changes in program content, equipment, support materials, training, and appropriate outcome measures.Conclusion:Development of an evidenced-based fall prevention program requires a long term commitment on the part of all partners, University personnel, local service providers, and older adult participants; funding is also critical.

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