The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an active educational intervention (using interactive and active methods of teaching) works better than the traditional lecture teaching to reduce concerns of falling, falls and other health problems among older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does having more dynamic interactive educational interventions can performed better than using just traditional lectures? Are these interventions able to reduce concerns of falling, fears and other outcomes among older adults? Participants will: Receive one of the interventions (active/interactive or traditional lecture) Answer self-report questionnaires related to concerns of falls and falls Perform some fall-related tests Be followed for 3 and 6 months
Previous studies and meta-analyses have shown that educational strategies for fall prevention are still underexplored and have produced inconsistent results, possibly due to the limited use of appropriate educational methods and approaches that effectively change older adults' perceptions and behaviors related to falls. This study aims to investigate the effects of a six-week educational intervention using active learning methodologies on concern about falling in community-dwelling older adults compared to a control group. Our secondary objectives are to evaluate whether the educational intervention reduces fall events and near-fall events and improves knowledge and awareness related to fall prevention in older adults. This is a randomized, parallel-group trial in which participants will be allocated to either an interactive educational intervention group (active methods of teaching) or a control group receiving the same educational content through printed materials and a lecture on general healthy aging. Follow-up assessments will be conducted immediately after the intervention period (6 weeks), and at 3 months and 6 months after the intervention. Falls and near-falls will be monitored throughout the follow-up period using follow-up contacts.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
102
Arm/Group Experimental: Interactive Fall Prevention Education Arm Description: The intervention will be carried out in groups of 12 to 17 participants. There will be six educational sessions (delivered once a week) focusing on the following fall prevention topics: (1) impact of falls and aging-related changes; (2) identification of fall risk and protective factors; (3) home safety and environmental modifications; (4) fall prevention strategies; (5) concern about falling and what to do after a fall; and (6) adoption of safe behaviors and fall prevention strategies. At each session, participants will receive printed educational materials summarizing the main topics discussed (these materials are the same offered to the control group). The intervention will use interactive and active teaching methods, including group discussions, games, simulated scenarios, problem-solving activities, and practical examples. The educational content will be based on fall prevention guidelines from the Cent
The control group will receive a lecture on general healthy aging (not related to falls) and printed educational leaflets covering the same six fall prevention topics addressed in the interactive educational intervention, including fall risk factors, home safety, prevention strategies, and what to do after a fall. The educational content will be delivered only through printed materials and not through interactive sessions.
School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora
Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Concern about Falling
Concern about falling will be measured using the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). Scores range from 16 to 64, with higher scores indicating greater concern about falling
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
Proportion of participants with at least one fall
The proportion of participants who experience at least one fall during the follow-up period will be recorded using follow-up contacts
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
Number of Falls
The total number of falls will be recorded during the follow-up period using follow-up contacts.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
Knowledge about fall prevention
Change in knowledge about fall prevention will be assessed using the Falls Risk Awareness Questionnaire (FRAQ-Brazil), which evaluates knowledge about fall risk factors, prevention strategies, and situations associated with fall risk. Higher scores indicate greater knowledge related to fall prevention.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
Fall risk awareness
Change in fall risk awareness will be assessed using the Falls Risk Awareness Questionnaire (FRAQ-Brazil), which evaluates participants' awareness and perception of fall risk factors and situations associated with falls
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
Number of near-falls
The total number of near-falls during follow-up will be recorded using follow-up contacts. A near-fall will be defined as an event in which the participant slips, trips, or loses balance but is able to prevent coming to rest on the ground, floor, or lower level.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
Proportion of participants with at least one near-fall
The proportion of participants who experience at least one near-fall during follow-up will be recorded using follow-up contacts. A near-fall will be defined as an event in which the participant slips, trips, or loses balance but is able to prevent coming to rest on the ground, floor, or lower level.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
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