Preventing falls on an elderly care rehabilitation ward.
OBJECTIVE
Comparison of two flooring types--carpet and vinyl--in the bed areas, and two modes of physiotherapy--conventional therapy and additional leg strengthening exercises--in avoiding falls.


METHODS
Randomized 2 x 2 controlled trial.


METHODS
Elderly care rehabilitation ward in a community hospital.


METHODS
Fifty-four consecutive patients referred for rehabilitation.


METHODS
The incidence of falls, and the change in strength.


RESULTS
There were 10 falls on carpet, and only a single fall on vinyl floor covering (relative risk 8.3, 95% confidence interval 0.95-73, p = 0.05). There were four falls in those receiving additional exercise, and seven falls in those receiving only conventional physiotherapy (relative risk 0.21, 95% confidence interval 0.04-1.2, p = 0.12). Fifty-nine per cent of patients were able to complete strength measurements on admission and discharge. In these, handgrip strength improved more in those given additional exercise than conventional physiotherapy (2.1 kg versus -0.3 kg, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence to support either intervention in preventing falls on a rehabilitation ward, but within this low-powered study, there was a strong trend towards vinyl being superior.
Donald
I P
IP
Elderly Care Unit, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK.
Pitt
K
K
Armstrong
E
E
Shuttleworth
H
H
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers