title: Effects of risk-based multifactorial fall prevention on postural balance in the community-dwelling aged: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of 12-month risk-based multifactorial fall prevention program on postural control of the aged. Five hundred and ninety-one (97%) eligible subjects were randomized into an intervention group (IG) (n=293) and a control group (CG) (n=298). The effects of the program were measured on standing, dynamic, and functional balance. In standing balance, the velocity moment of semi-tandem standing decreased in IG (median change -0.54 mm(2)/s) but increased in CG (+3.84 mm(2)/s) among all women (p=0.011) and among the women aged 65-74 years (-1.65 mm(2)/s and +2.80 mm(2)/s, correspondingly) (p=0.008). In a dynamic test, performance distance tended to decrease in IG (-26.54 mm) and increase in CG (+34.10mm) among all women (p=0.060). The women aged 75 years or over, showed marginally significant differences between the groups as regards changes in performance time (-2.66 s and -0.90 s) (p=0.068) and distance (-92.32 mm and +76.46 mm) (p=0.062) of the dynamic balance test in favor of IG. Men showed no significant differences in the changes between the groups in any balance measures.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Lemminkäisenkatu 1, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland. majosa@utu.fi
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salminen
authors.forename: Tero
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vahlberg
authors.forename: Sanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sihvonen
authors.forename: Noora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sjösten
authors.forename: Maarit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piirtola
authors.forename: Raimo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isoaho
authors.forename: Pertti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aarnio
authors.forename: Sirkka-Liisa
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kivelä
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome