J Korean Acad Nurs.  2014 Dec;44(6):697-707. 10.4040/jkan.2014.44.6.697.

Effects of Community-based Comprehensive Fall Prevention Program on Muscle Strength, Postural Balance and Fall Efficacy in Elderly People

• Bae J
• Cho SI

• KMID: 2129560
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2014.44.6.697

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purposes of this study was to develop a comprehensive community-based fall prevention program and to test the effects of the program on the muscle strength, postural balance and fall efficacy for elderly people.
METHODS
The design of this study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 28 participants in the experimental group and 29 in the control group. The program consisted of balance exercises, elastic resistance exercises and prevention education. The program was provided five times a week for 8 weeks and each session lasted 90 minutes. Data were analyzed using chi2-test, independent t-test and paired t-test using the SPSS program.
RESULTS
Muscle strength of the lower extremities, postural balance and fall efficacy scores significantly improved in the experimental group compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that this program can improve lower extremity muscle strength, postural balance and fall efficacy in elders. Therefore, this program is recommended for use in fall prevention programs for elders living in the community.

Keyword

Aged; Accidental falls; Muscle strength; Postural balance

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls/*prevention & control
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Ankle/physiology
Exercise
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Hip/physiology
Humans
Knee/physiology
Male
*Muscle Strength
*Postural Balance
*Program Evaluation

Figure

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  Figure 1 Effects of exercise on muscle power, postural balance and fall efficacy between the experiment and control groups.

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