Community fall prevention programs: comparing three InSTEP models by levels of intensity.
The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence designed three progressive-intensity fall prevention program models, Increasing Stability Through Evaluation and Practice (InSTEP), to reduce risk in community-dwelling older adults. Each model included physical activity, medical risk, and home safety components and was implemented as a 12-week program for small class sizes (12-15 people) in community and senior centers. Change in fall rates and fall risk factors was assessed using a battery of performance tests, self-reports of function, and fall diaries in a 3-group within-subjects (N = 200) design measured at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at 3 and 9 months postintervention. Overall, participants experienced a reduction in falls, improved selfperception of gait and balance, and improved dynamic gait function. The medium-intensity InSTEP model significantly (p = .003) reduced self-reported falls in comparison with the other models. InSTEP is a feasible model for addressing fall risk reduction in community-dwelling older adults.
Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA.
B Josea
BJ
Kramer
Beth
B
Creekmur
Michael N
MN
Mitchell
Debra J
DJ
Rose
Jon
J
Pynoos
Laurence Z
LZ
Rubenstein
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017146:Models, Organizational; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome