Abstract
Background: Fall prevention is a critical health issue for older adults, and a main risk factor for falling is balance disorder. Multicomponent intervention (MCI) is considered effective for fall reduction in older adults. Corresponding to the Long-Term Care of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of China, a MCI program for fall prevention was developed. Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of MCI on fall prevention and physical fitness in older adults at a day care center in Hsinchu County with a 3-month follow-up. Methods: This was a retrospective study. A total of 18 participants older than 55 years old attended two-hour sessions of MCI twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session included 1 hour of physical activity and 1 hour of health education. Descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon-Z tests were used to respectively describe the participants' characteristics and the frequency of falls, as well as to analyze the changes in physical fitness, including flexibility of upper/lower limbs, muscle strength of lower limbs, dynamic balance, and agility. Results: Data of 14 participants (8 men, 6 women) were retrieved. No falls were reported at the 3-month follow-up though the effect was not significant (p=0.16). Physical fitness before and after the intervention was not significantly different (p=0.09-0.72). Conclusion: The 12-week MCI might be effective in preventing falls within 3 months and in maintaining physical fitness in older adults.
| Translated title of the contribution | The Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Intervention on Fall Prevention and Physical Fitness in Older Adults at a Day Care Center |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Pages (from-to) | 27-54 |
| Journal | 職能治療學會雜誌 ＝ Journal of Occupational Therapy Association R.O.C. |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 Jun 1 |