title: An instructional DVD fall-prevention program for patients with cancer and family caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine the efficacy of a fall-prevention skills training program for patients with cancer and family caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, controlled trial with repeated measures and postintervention measure of fall occurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive cancer center in the midwestern United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  132 patient and family caregiver dyads.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dyads were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group that received standard fall-prevention education or a treatment group that received standard education and a fall-prevention DVD program to view at home. Participants completed surveys at baseline, one week, one month, and three months. Follow-up phone calls were made at three months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fall occurrence, perceptions of fall risks, and fall-prevention knowledge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in the treatment group were significantly more likely to report not falling at three months than patients in the control group. The number of falls was lower for the treatment group. The difference was not statistically significant. Dyads in the treatment group showed significantly greater improvement over time in fall risk awareness and fall-prevention knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mobility skills training is a promising educational intervention for reducing fall occurrences in the home for patients with cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Efforts are needed for improving the knowledge and skills of cancer survivors and their family members in recognizing patient fall risks, making home adjustments, and performing mobility skills competently.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research for Patient Care Services, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.affiliation: Department of Research for Patient Care Services, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pion
authors.affiliation: Department of Research for Patient Care Services, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Klinkenberg
authors.affiliation: Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Marilee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuhrik
authors.affiliation: Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuhrik
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D016250:Compact Disks; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: fall prevention; family caregiving; oncology; patient education