Falls reduction in long-term care facilities: a preliminary report of a new internet-based behavioral technique.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate an Internet-based psychological intervention targeting behavioral factors related to falls among residents of long-term care communities.


METHODS
Retrospective A-B design with 90-day look-back.


METHODS
Long-term care communities in New York State (N=4, 3 SNF, 1 ALF).


METHODS
Nursing home residents (N=26).


METHODS
Internet-based programmed learning system using cognitive- and behavioral-based techniques.


METHODS
Direct measures of documented falls in the medical record, perceived risk and burden scales, Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Attitudes to Falls-Related Interventions Scale (AFRIS).


RESULTS
Reductions in documented falls by 52% along with substantial reductions in staff ratings of risk and burden.


CONCLUSIONS
Behavioral treatment of risk factors related to falls within a structured delivery using Internet-based intervention may be an effective and efficient mechanism for treating fall risk in long-term care settings.
Mansdorf
Irwin J
IJ
Park Avenue Medical Associates, White Plains, NY, USA. imansdorf@gmail.com
Sharma
Ravil
R
Perez
Melanie
M
Lepore
Anne-Marie
AM
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors