pISSN : 3058-6941 eISSN: 3058-695X
Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN : 3058-6941 eISSN: 3058-695X
Open Access, Peer-reviewed
Heather Braden,Taylor Bussell,Kelli Dillon,Lauren Douglass,Selina Woodham
https://dx.doi.org/10.17817/2022.01.24.1111701 Epub 7th March, 2022
Abstract
Purpose Balance training and reducing falls have been studied in populations with specific pathologies or using exercise in general. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate and summarize the findings of quality randomized control trials using balance training to determine risk and prevalence of falls in communitydwelling older adults. Methods Studies that examined the effects of a balance intervention or balance and exercise intervention on fall risk and/or prevalence in people 65 years or older were included. Relative risk reduction (RRR) ratios were calculated for total number of falls and total number of participants who fell in the included studies. Results Nine randomized clinical trials (n= 4,703) published from 20022019 with Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale scores of ≥4/10 found that balance training programs alone and combined balance and exercise interventions had a significant impact on fall rates with RRR of .30 (.27.33, 95% CI) and fall risk RRR of .42 (.38.46, 95% CI). Conclusion Balance training of various forms can be beneficial in reducing risk and prevalence of falls in independent, communitydwelling older adults.
Keywords
Older adults Fall risk Balance Community Dwelling Falls
