Abstract
Purpose: This clinical investigation examined risk factors for falls and the effectiveness of physical therapy intervention to decrease the risk of falls in a community dwelling aging population.
Sample: A convenience sample of 25 community-dwelling elderly adults ages 65 and older participated.
Methods: All subjects participated in an extensive examination and evaluation to identify risk for falls and performance on selected measures of balance and mobility. Subjects were given the opportunity to participate in an exercise program designed to address impairments or functional disabilities. The control subjects received no intervention; however, they were encouraged to continue with their normal activities, including exercise.
Findings: Significant differences were found between subjects classified as fallers and nonfallers in terms of their performance on selected balance and mobility tests. After physical therapy intervention, subjects classified as fallers made significant improvements in their performance on the Berg Balance Scale.
Conclusion: Appropriately designed physical therapy intervention in the form of an exercise program can decrease the risk for falls among a community-dwelling aging population identified as having an increased risk of falls.
Falls may have devastating consequences for older adults. Each year, approximately one third of persons over the age of 65 experience a fall, or unexpected contact of a body part with the ground or supporting surface (Blake et al., 1988; Sattin, 1992). An individual who falls may experience a serious injury, including fracture, soft tissue injury, joint dislocation, and mobility impairment during 15-20% of falls. Forty percent of hospital admissions for individuals over the age of 65 are the result of fall-related injuries (Sattin, 1990, 1992). Additionally, fall-related injuries and their consequences are associated with declining function in activities of daily living (ADLs) (Tinetti et al., 1998) and are the leading cause of death from injuries for these individuals (Sattin, 1992). Injuries from falls represent a significant public health problem with annual expenditures of greater than $10 billion for the care of hip fractures alone (Sattin, 1992).