title: Effectiveness of simple balancing training program in elderly patients with history of frequent falls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effectiveness of simply-performed balancing exercises in fall prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and post-trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital from January 2009 to May 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Elderly with falls in the previous year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Simple balancing exercise was performed at home every day and was recorded in the booklet.
  
  
  METHODS
  New falling events and a battery of balancing abilities including the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), chair stand, functional reach, and Berg balance scale-short form were evaluated at baseline, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month periods. Fear of falling and quality of life scores were assessed at baseline and 12-month periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  146 subjects were recruited, 116 female (79.5%) with a mean age of 67.1 years. At the end of the study, 49% of participants had not fallen. All of the balancing abilities were compared between frequent and infrequent fallers and were significantly improved (P<0.001) except for functional reach in the frequent fall group. Most subjects (72%-79%) complied well with the exercise program. However, compliance had no effect on balancing abilities. About 36.4% of participants had adverse events from exercise, of which knee pain was the top ranked. The quality of life and the fall efficacy scores increased significantly at the end of the study. Factors affecting falling were compliance with exercise (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.55, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.04, 6.30) and a history of falling ≥3 times in the previous year (adjusted OR: 3.76, 95% CI: 1.18, 11.98).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Performing simply-designed balancing exercises, at least 3 days per week, can increase balancing abilities, and decrease fall rates in the elderly with a history of previous falls. However, strategies to encourage elderly compliance may prevent falling.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. sivkp@mahidol.ac.th
authors: Vilai
authors: V
authors: Kuptniratsaikul
authors: Rungnirand
authors: R
authors: Praditsuwan
authors: Prasert
authors: P
authors: Assantachai
authors: Teerada
authors: T
authors: Ploypetch
authors: Suthipol
authors: S
authors: Udompunturak
authors: Julaporn
authors: J
authors: Pooliam
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