7 / 16
Page 36
conferenceseries
.com
Volume 3
Journal of Physiotherapy & Physical Rehabilitation
Physicians 2018
August 15-16, 2018
August 15-16, 2018 Tokyo, Japan
8
th
World Physiotherapists and Physicians Summit
Exercise for reducing fear of falling in older people living in the community
Kumar A, Carpenter H and Kendrick D
1
, Delbaere K
2
, Zijlstra GAR
3
, Iliffe S and Morris R
4
, Masud T
5
, Skelton DA
6
1
University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
2
University of New South Wales, Australia
3
Maastricht University and CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, The Netherlands
4
University College London, UK
5
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
6
Glasgow Caledonian University, UK
Objective:
To determine the effect of exercise interventions on fear of falling in community-living people aged ≥65 years.
Methodology&Design:
Systematic reviewandmeta-analysis. Bibliographicdatabases, trial registers andother sourceswere searched
for randomized or quasi-randomized trials. Data were independently extracted by pairs of reviewers using a standard form.
Results:
Thirty trials (2878 participants) reported 36 interventions (Tai Chi and yoga (n=9), balance training (n=19), strength
and resistance training (n=8)). The risk of bias was low in few trials. Most studies were from high income countries (Australia=8
and USA=7). Intervention periods (<12 weeks=22, 13-26 weeks=7 and >26 weeks=7) and exercise frequency (1-3 times/
week=32 and ≥4 times/week=4) varied between studies. Fear of falling was measured by single-item questions (7) and scales
measuring falls efficacy (14), balance confidence (9) and concern or worry about falling (2). Meta-analyses showed a small
to moderate effect of exercise interventions on reducing fear of falling immediately post intervention (Standardized Mean
Difference (SMD) 0.37, 95% CI 0.18, 0.56; 24 studies; low quality evidence). There was a small, but not statistically significant
effect in the longer term (<6 months (SMD 0.17, 95% CI -0.05, 0.38 (four studies) and ≥6 months post intervention SMD 0.20,
95% CI -0.01, 0.41 (three studies)).
Conclusion:
Exercise interventions probably reduce fear of falling to a small to moderate degree immediately post-intervention
in community-living older people. The high risk of bias in most included trials suggests findings should be interpreted with
caution. High quality trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base in this area.
arun.kumar@nottingham.ac.ukPhysiother Rehabil 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.4172/2573-0312-C2-006