The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a falls-prevention exercise programme on health-related quality of life, fear of falling, falls and physical function in older people receiving home care. Participants in the intervention group perform the Otago exercise programme. Participants in the control group continue their usual activities.
Falls and falls-related injuries are considered a serious public health issue in the older population. Strength and balance exercise in combination with information about falls prevention seems to be effective in reducing falls, but less is known about the effect of this kind of intervention on quality of life. This randomized controlled trial investigates the effect of a falls prevention program on health-related quality of life, fear of falling, falls and physical function in community-dwelling older people who receive home care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
155
Exercise according to the falls prevention programme. Information on motivation, the effectiveness of falls prevention and the importance of adherence.
Municipality of Frogn
Drøbak, Akershus, Norway
Municipality of Rælingen
Fjerdingby, Akershus, Norway
Municipality of Skedsmo
Lillestrøm, Akershus, Norway
Municipality of Lørenskog
Lørenskog, Akershus, Norway
Short Form 36 Health Survey Summary Scores
Changes in the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) summary scores from baseline to 3-months follow-up. SF-36 measures health-related quality of life. Its summary score is comprised of a physical component summary (PCS) and a mental component summary (MCS). The scores range from 0-100 (worst-best) in each scale. A positive change in the summary score indicates a better health-related quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
EQ-5D
Changes in the EuroQOL EQ-5D instrument indicating changes in health-related quality of life. Preference weights for United Kingdom were employed to generate utility scores ranging from -0.59 to 1. A score of 1 is associated with a health state without problems. A positive change in EQ-5D indicates a better health-related quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Berg Balance Scale
Changes in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), a 14-item scale applied to assess static and dynamic balance in older adults. The summary score ranges from 0 (low, wheelchair bound) to 56 (high, independent)
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Sit-to-stand Test
Changes in the no. of raises in 30 seconds. From the sitting position, the subject stands completely up, then sits completely back down, repeated for 30 seconds.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
4-meter Walk Test
Changes in the 4-meter walk test. Participants are asked to walk a distance of 4 meters at their usual pace, measured in m/s
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Falls Efficacy Scale - International
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Municipality of Bærum
Sandvika, Akershus, Norway
Municipality of Sørum
Sørumsand, Akershus, Norway
Changes in falls-efficacy measured with the Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I) derives from a self-report questionnaire, assessing concerns about falling in 16 different daily activities. The total score ranges from 16 (no concern) to 64 (high concern). A decrease in scores indicates less concerns.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
No. of participants with scores on the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, Lawton and Brody. IADL is a measure of a person's self-reported ability to perform complex activities of daily living. The summary score ranges from 0 (low function, dependent) to 8 (high function, independent).
Time frame: Baseline, 3-months, 6-months
Walking Habits
Questions regarding walking habits in the last 7 days. Summarized in total minutes walking.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Mini Nutritional Assessment
The summary score of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) maps to three nutritional statuses "Normal nutritional status", "Risk of malnutrition" and being "Malnourished".
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Exercise According to the Protocol. Adherence
No. of participants in the intervention group performing exercises according to the protocol in the intervention period until 3-months follow-up. Participant are encouraged to complete an activity diary where they note if the exercise programme has been executed as planned. If they have not completed sufficient exercises, they are supposed to make a note in the diary.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
No. of Participants Exercising Post-intervention
Self-reported exercise behavior post-intervention between 3-months follow-up to 6-months follow-up.
Time frame: 3 months and 6 months
No. of Falls
No. of falls in the post-intervention period between 3-months follow-up and 6-months follow-up. Falls are defined as an event, i.e. fall, trip, slip, which results in the person coming to rest on the ground or floor or other lower level.
Time frame: 3 months and 6 months