Some interventions are effective for preventing falls in older people

January 01, 0001

Some interventions are effective for preventing falls in older people

Clinical Question:How effective are interventions designed to prevent falls in older people in nursing care facilities and hospitals?

Bottom line: There is evidence multifactorial interventions reduce falls and risk of falling in hospitals and may do so in nursing care facilities, but no recommendations can be made regarding any particular component of these programmes. Vitamin D supplementation was effective in reducing the rate of falls in nursing care facilities, as was a review of medication by a pharmacist. There was no evidence other interventions targeting single risk factors reduced falls and this included exercise interventions. However, exercise in the subacute hospital setting appeared effective.

Caveat: Limitations of the review included the small number of hospital studies, difficulty isolating effects of individual components of treatments that involved multiple components, and the variability of interventions. Falls prevention programmes that include exercises for frail nursing care facility residents should carefully assess each individualÕs suitability, as there is the possibility exercise programmes may increase some peopleÕs risk of falls.

Context: Falls by older people in nursing care facilities and hospitals are common events that may cause loss of independence, injuries, and sometimes death as a result of injury. Effective interventions are important as they will have significant health benefits.

Cochrane Systematic Review: Cameron ID et al. Interventions for preventing falls in older people in nursing care facilities and hospitals. Cochrane Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Article No. CD005465. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD005465.pub2. This review contains 41 studies involving 25,422 participants in 13 countries.

Cochrane PEARLS Practical Evidence About Real Life Situations. No. 234, March 2010.
Written by Brian R McAvoy. Published by the Cochrane Primary Care Group

Category: A. General/Unsepcitifed. Keywords: falls, older adults, prevention
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 29 June 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care

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Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.