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Journal of Physiotherapy Jan 2018Does physical exercise training improve physical function and quality of life in people with cognitive impairment and dementia? Which training protocols improve physical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
QUESTION
Does physical exercise training improve physical function and quality of life in people with cognitive impairment and dementia? Which training protocols improve physical function and quality of life? How do cognitive impairment and other patient characteristics influence the outcomes of exercise training?
DESIGN
Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised trials.
PARTICIPANTS
People with mild cognitive impairment or dementia as the primary diagnosis.
INTERVENTION
Physical exercise.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Strength, flexibility, gait, balance, mobility, walking endurance, dual-task ability, activities of daily living, quality of life, and falls.
RESULTS
Forty-three clinical trials (n=3988) were included. According to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, the meta-analyses revealed strong evidence in support of using supervised exercise training to improve the results of 30-second sit-to-stand test (MD 2.1 repetitions, 95% CI 0.3 to 3.9), step length (MD 5cm, 95% CI 2 to 8), Berg Balance Scale (MD 3.6 points, 95% CI 0.3 to 7.0), functional reach (3.9cm, 95% CI 2.2 to 5.5), Timed Up and Go test (-1second, 95% CI -2 to 0), walking speed (0.13m/s, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.24), and 6-minute walk test (50m, 95% CI 18 to 81) in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Weak evidence supported the use of exercise in improving flexibility and Barthel Index performance. Weak evidence suggested that non-specific exercise did not improve dual-tasking ability or activity level. Strong evidence indicated that exercise did not improve quality of life in this population. The effect of exercise on falls remained inconclusive. Poorer physical function was a determinant of better response to exercise training, but cognitive performance did not have an impact.
CONCLUSION
People with various levels of cognitive impairment can benefit from supervised multi-modal exercise for about 60minutes a day, 2 to 3days a week to improve physical function. [Lam FMH , Huang MZ, Liao LR, Chung RCK, Kwok TCY, Pang MYC (2018) Physical exercise improves strength, balance, mobility, and endurance in people with cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy 64: 4-15].
Topics: Accidental Falls; Activities of Daily Living; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia; Exercise; Humans; Mobility Limitation; Muscle Strength; Physical Endurance; Postural Balance; Quality of Life
PubMed: 29289581
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphys.2017.12.001 -
Clinical Interventions in Aging 2019Maintaining or improving quality of life (QoL) is a key outcome of clinical interventions in older people. Fear of falling (FoF) is associated with activity restriction...
Maintaining or improving quality of life (QoL) is a key outcome of clinical interventions in older people. Fear of falling (FoF) is associated with activity restriction as well as with poorer physical and cognitive functions and may be an important contributor to a diminished QoL. The objectives of this systematic review were to determine i) the effect of FoF on QoL in older people, ii) whether the association between these two constructs depends on the use of specific conceptualizations and measurement instruments, and iii) the role of fall events as mediating factor in this relationship. Four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library) were searched from their inceptions to February 2018. Thirty mostly cross-sectional studies in nearly 30.000 people (weighted mean age 75.6 years (SD =6.1); 73% women) were included. FoF was associated with QoL in most studies, and this association appeared to be independent of the conceptualization of FoF. Moreover, this relationship was independent of falls people experienced which seemed to have a lower impact. FoF should be considered not only as by-product of falls and targeted interventions in parts different from those to reduce falls are likely required. Studies are needed showing that reducing FoF will lead to increased QoL.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fear; Humans; Quality of Life
PubMed: 31190764
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S197857 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2021Falls account for a high proportion of the safety accidents experienced by hospitalized children. This study aims to analyze the contents and effects of fall prevention... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Falls account for a high proportion of the safety accidents experienced by hospitalized children. This study aims to analyze the contents and effects of fall prevention programs for pediatric inpatients to develop more adaptable fall prevention programs. A literature search was performed using PubMed (including Medline), Science Direct, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane. We included articles published from the inception of each of the databases up to 31 March 2019. A total of 1725 results were reviewed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and nine studies were selected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program. Four of the nine studies divided their participants into a high-risk fall group and a low-or medium-risk fall group, and all studies used a high-risk sign/sticker as a common protocol guideline for its high-risk fall group. The odds ratio of 0.95 (95% Cl 0.550-1.640) for the fall prevention program in seven studies was not statistically significant. To develop a standardized fall prevention program in the future, randomized control trial studies that can objectively measure the fall rate reduction effect of the integrated fall prevention program need to be expanded.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Child; Humans; Inpatients; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 34072495
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115853 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2024Around one-third of older adults aged 65 years or older who live in the community fall each year. Interventions to prevent falls can be designed to target the whole...
BACKGROUND
Around one-third of older adults aged 65 years or older who live in the community fall each year. Interventions to prevent falls can be designed to target the whole community, rather than selected individuals. These population-level interventions may be facilitated by different healthcare, social care, and community-level agencies. They aim to tackle the determinants that lead to risk of falling in older people, and include components such as community-wide polices for vitamin D supplementation for older adults, reducing fall hazards in the community or people's homes, or providing public health information or implementation of public health programmes that reduce fall risk (e.g. low-cost or free gym membership for older adults to encourage increased physical activity).
OBJECTIVES
To review and synthesise the current evidence on the effects of population-based interventions for preventing falls and fall-related injuries in older people. We defined population-based interventions as community-wide initiatives to change the underlying societal, cultural, or environmental conditions increasing the risk of falling.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, three other databases, and two trials registers in December 2020, and conducted a top-up search of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase in January 2023.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs, trials with stepped-wedge designs, and controlled non-randomised studies evaluating population-level interventions for preventing falls and fall-related injuries in adults ≥ 60 years of age. Population-based interventions target entire communities. We excluded studies only targeting people at high risk of falling or with specific comorbidities, or residents living in institutionalised settings.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane, and used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. We prioritised seven outcomes: rate of falls, number of fallers, number of people experiencing one or more fall-related injuries, number of people experiencing one or more fall-related fracture, number of people requiring hospital admission for one or more falls, adverse events, and economic analysis of interventions. Other outcomes of interest were: number of people experiencing one or more falls requiring medical attention, health-related quality of life, fall-related mortality, and concerns about falling.
MAIN RESULTS
We included nine studies: two cluster RCTs and seven non-randomised trials (of which five were controlled before-and-after studies (CBAs), and two were controlled interrupted time series (CITS)). The numbers of older adults in intervention and control regions ranged from 1200 to 137,000 older residents in seven studies. The other two studies reported only total population size rather than numbers of older adults (67,300 and 172,500 residents). Most studies used hospital record systems to collect outcome data, but three only used questionnaire data in a random sample of residents; one study used both methods of data collection. The studies lasted between 14 months and eight years. We used Prevention of Falls Network Europe (ProFaNE) taxonomy to classify the types of interventions. All studies evaluated multicomponent falls prevention interventions. One study (n = 4542) also included a medication and nutrition intervention. We did not pool data owing to lack of consistency in study designs. Medication or nutrition Older people in the intervention area were offered free-of-charge daily supplements of calcium carbonate and vitamin D. Although female residents exposed to this falls prevention programme had fewer fall-related hospital admissions (with no evidence of a difference for male residents) compared to a control area, we were unsure of this finding because the certainty of evidence was very low. This cluster RCT included high and unclear risks of bias in several domains, and we could not determine levels of imprecision in the effect estimate reported by study authors. Because this evidence is of very low certainty, we have not included quantitative results here. This study reported none of our other review outcomes. Multicomponent interventions Types of interventions included components of exercise, environment modification (home; community; public spaces), staff training, and knowledge and education. Studies included some or all of these components in their programme design. The effectiveness of multicomponent falls prevention interventions for all reported outcomes is uncertain. The two cluster RCTs included high or unclear risk of bias, and we had no reasons to upgrade the certainty of evidence from the non-randomised trial designs (which started as low-certainty evidence). We also noted possible imprecision in some effect estimates and inconsistent findings between studies. Given the very low-certainty evidence for all outcomes, we have not reported quantitative findings here. One cluster RCT reported lower rates of falls in the intervention area than the control area, with fewer people in the intervention area having one or more falls and fall-related injuries, but with little or no difference in the number of people having one or more fall-related fractures. In another cluster RCT (a multi-arm study), study authors reported no evidence of a difference in the number of female or male residents with falls leading to hospital admission after either a multicomponent intervention ("environmental and health programme") or a combination of this programme and the calcium and vitamin D programme (above). One CBA reported no difference in rate of falls between intervention and control group areas, and another CBA reported no difference in rate of falls inside or outside the home. Two CBAs found no evidence of a difference in the number of fallers, and another CBA found no evidence of a difference in fall-related injuries. One CITS found no evidence of a difference in the number of people having one or more fall-related fractures. No studies reported adverse events.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Given the very low-certainty evidence, we are unsure whether population-based multicomponent or nutrition and medication interventions are effective at reducing falls and fall-related injuries in older adults. Methodologically robust cluster RCTs with sufficiently large communities and numbers of clusters are needed. Establishing a rate of sampling for population-based studies would help in determining the size of communities to include. Interventions should be described in detail to allow investigation of effectiveness of individual components of multicomponent interventions; using the ProFaNE taxonomy for this would improve consistency between studies.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Accidental Falls; Cholecalciferol; Controlled Before-After Studies; Dietary Supplements; Fractures, Bone
PubMed: 38180112
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013789.pub2 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023As the population ages, the health of older adults is becoming a public health concern. Falls are a significant threat to their health due to weakened balance. This... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
As the population ages, the health of older adults is becoming a public health concern. Falls are a significant threat to their health due to weakened balance. This study aims to investigate the beneficial effects of Tai Chi on fall prevention and balance improvement in older adults.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials related to Tai Chi, falls, and balance ability, searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from their establishment until December 31, 2022. Two independent reviewers performed the search, screening of results, extraction of relevant data, and assessment of study quality. This study followed the PRISMA guidelines for systematic review and meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Totally 24 RCTs were included for meta-analysis, and the results showed that Tai Chi can effectively reduce the risk of falls in older adults (RR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.71 to 0.82) and decrease the number of falls (MD [95% CI]: -0.26 [-0.39, -0.13]). Tai Chi can also improve the balance ability of older adults, such as the timed up and go test (MD [95% CI]: -0.69 [-1.09, -0.29]) and the functional reach test (MD [95% CI]: 2.69 [1.14, 4.24]), as well as other balance tests such as single-leg balance test, Berg balance scale, and gait speed ( < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that Tai Chi is effective for both healthy older adults and those at high risk of falls ( < 0.001), and its effectiveness increases with the duration and frequency of exercise. In addition, the effect of Yang-style Tai Chi is better than that of Sun-style Tai Chi.
CONCLUSION
Tai Chi is an effective exercise for preventing falls and improving balance ability in older adults, whether they are healthy or at high risk of falling. The effectiveness of Tai Chi increases with exercise time and frequency. Yang-style Tai Chi is more effective than Sun-style Tai Chi.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier CRD42022354594.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Postural Balance; Tai Ji; Time and Motion Studies; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37736087
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1236050 -
Clinical Rehabilitation Dec 2019To investigate the psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Ovid Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 2019.
REVIEW METHOD
Studies testing psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in PD were included. The four-point COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) assessed quality.
RESULTS
Eighty studies testing 68 outcome measures were reviewed; 43 measures assessed balance, 9 assessed falls risk prediction, and 16 assessed both. The measures with robust psychometric estimation with acceptable properties were the (1) Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BEST), (2) Berg Balance Scale, (3) Timed Up and Go test, (4) Falls Efficacy Scale International, and (5) Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scale. These measures assess balance and falls risk prediction at the body, structure and function level, falls risk and balance, and falls risk at the activity level. The motor examination of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-ME) with robust psychometric analysis is a condition-specific measure with acceptable properties. Except the UPDRS-ME and Mini-BESTest, the responsiveness of the other four measures has yet to be established.
CONCLUSION
Six of the 68 outcome measures have strong psychometric properties for the assessment of balance and falls risk prediction in PD. Measures assessing balance and falls risk prediction at the participatory level are limited in number with a lack of psychometric validation.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Humans; Motor Activity; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Parkinson Disease; Physical Therapy Modalities; Postural Balance; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Time and Motion Studies
PubMed: 31571503
DOI: 10.1177/0269215519877498 -
Journal of Physiotherapy Apr 2019What are the effects of aquatic exercise on disease severity, (non-)motor impairments, activity performance, fear of falling, and quality of life in people with...
QUESTIONS
What are the effects of aquatic exercise on disease severity, (non-)motor impairments, activity performance, fear of falling, and quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease (PD)? Does aquatic exercise have greater effects on these outcomes than other forms of exercise in people with PD?
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
PARTICIPANTS
People with idiopathic PD.
INTERVENTION
Supervised aquatic exercise programs ≥ 2 weeks.
OUTCOMES MEASURES
The primary outcomes were disease severity, motor impairments, activity performance, and fear of falling. The secondary outcomes were non-motor impairments and quality of life.
RESULTS
Of the 129 identified records, seven trials met the inclusion criteria and six were meta-analysed (159 participants). One trial assessed the effect of aquatic exercise compared with control and found a significant improvement in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (MD -4.6, 95% CI -7.5 to -1.7) in favour of aquatic exercise. Six studies compared aquatic exercise with land-based exercise after intervention (mean 7.2 weeks of training (SD 2.2); 159 participants). The effect of aquatic exercise was superior to land-based exercise on the Berg Balance Scale (MD 2.7, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.9), the Falls Efficacy Scale (MD -4.0, 95% CI -6.1 to -1.8) and the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (MD -6.0, 95% CI -11.3 to -0.6), with no other significant effects identified. The significant benefit on the Berg Balance Scale was maintained at the follow-up assessment (MD 6.3, 95% CI 2.1 to 10.5, 54 participants).
CONCLUSION
Aquatic exercise improves motor impairments in people with PD significantly more than no intervention. It also has slightly to moderately greater benefits than land-based exercise on balance capacity, fear of falling, and health-related quality of life. On other outcomes, the benefits of aquatic exercise are similar to those of land-based exercise.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42017077370.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Motor Disorders; Parkinson Disease; Postural Balance; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Swimming Pools; Water
PubMed: 30904467
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphys.2019.02.003 -
PloS One 2016Fear of falling and other fall-related psychological concerns (FRPCs), such as falls-efficacy and balance confidence, are highly prevalent among community-dwelling older... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Fear of falling and other fall-related psychological concerns (FRPCs), such as falls-efficacy and balance confidence, are highly prevalent among community-dwelling older adults. Anxiety and FRPCs have frequently, but inconsistently, been found to be associated in the literature. The purpose of this study is to clarify those inconsistencies with a systematic review and meta-analysis and to evaluate if the strength of this relationship varies based on the different FRPC constructs used (e.g., fear of falling, falls-efficacy or balance confidence). A systematic review was conducted through multiple databases (e.g., MEDLINE, PsycINFO) to include all articles published before June 10th 2015 that measured anxiety and FRPCs in community-dwelling older adults. Active researchers in the field were also contacted in an effort to include unpublished studies. The systematic review led to the inclusion of twenty relevant articles (n = 4738). A random-effect meta-analysis revealed that the mean effect size for fear of falling and anxiety is r = 0.32 (95% CI: 0.22-0.40), Z = 6.49, p < 0.001 and the mean effect size for falls-efficacy or balance confidence and anxiety is r = 0.31 (95% CI: 0.23-0.40), Z = 6.72, p < 0.001. A Q-test for heterogeneity revealed that the two effect sizes are not significantly different (Q(19) = 0.13, p = n.s.). This study is the first meta-analysis on the relationship between anxiety and FRPCs among community-dwelling older adults. It demonstrates the importance of considering anxiety when treating older adults with FRPCs.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anxiety; Fear; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Middle Aged; Postural Balance; Publication Bias; Self Efficacy
PubMed: 27043139
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152848 -
Clinical Interventions in Aging 2017A new term, dysmobility syndrome, has recently been described as a new approach to identify older people at risk of poor health outcomes. The aim was to undertake a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A new term, dysmobility syndrome, has recently been described as a new approach to identify older people at risk of poor health outcomes. The aim was to undertake a systematic review of the existing research literature on dysmobility syndrome.
METHOD
All articles reporting dysmobility syndrome were identified in a systematic review of Medline (Proquest), CINAHL, PubMed, PsycInfo, EMBASE, and Scopus databases. Key characteristics of identified studies were extracted and summarized.
RESULTS
The systematic review identified five papers (three cross-sectional, one case control, and one longitudinal study). No intervention studies were identified. Prevalence of dysmobility syndrome varied between studies (22%-34% in three of the studies). Dysmobility syndrome was shown to be associated with reduced function, increased falls and fractures, and a longitudinal study showed its significant association with mortality.
CONCLUSION
Early research on dysmobility syndrome indicates that it may be a useful classification approach to identify older people at risk of adverse health outcomes and to target for early interventions. Future research needs to standardize the optimal mix of measures and cut points, and investigate whether balance performance may be a more useful factor than history of falls for dysmobility syndrome.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Aged; Aging; Body Composition; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fractures, Bone; Frail Elderly; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Mobility Limitation; Muscle Strength; Prevalence; Syndrome
PubMed: 28144132
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S102961 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Neurodegenerative diseases often cause motor and cognitive deterioration that leads to postural instability and motor impairment, while aging-associated frailty... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Neurodegenerative diseases often cause motor and cognitive deterioration that leads to postural instability and motor impairment, while aging-associated frailty frequently results in reduced muscle mass, balance, and mobility. These conditions increase the risk of falls and injuries in these populations. This study aimed to determine the effects of exercise on falls and consequent injuries among individuals with neurodegenerative diseases and frail aging people.
METHODS
Electronic database searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, SportDiscus, and Web of Science up to 1 January 2023. Randomized controlled trials that reported the effects of exercise on falls and fall-related injuries in neurodegenerative disease and frail aging people were eligible for inclusion. The intervention effects for falls, fractures, and injuries were evaluated by calculating the rate ratio (RaR) or risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
Sixty-four studies with 13,241 participants met the inclusion criteria. Exercise is effective in reducing falls for frail aging people (RaR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.68-0.82) and participants with ND (0.53, 0.43-0.65) [dementia (0.64, 0.51-0.82), Parkinson's disease (0.49, 0.39-0.69), and stroke survivors (0.40, 0.27-0.57)]. Exercise also reduced fall-related injuries in ND patients (RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.48-0.90) and decreased fractures (0.63, 0.41-0.95) and fall-related injuries (0.89, 0.84-0.95) among frail aging people. For fall prevention, balance and combined exercise protocols are both effective, and either short-, moderate-, or long-term intervention duration is beneficial. More importantly, exercise only induced a very low injury rate per participant year (0.007%; 95% CI, 0-0.016) and show relatively good compliance with exercise (74.8; 95% CI, 69.7%-79.9%).
DISCUSSION
Exercise is effective in reducing neurodegenerative disease- and aging-associated falls and consequent injuries, suggesting that exercise is an effective and feasible strategy for the prevention of falls.
Topics: Humans; Accidental Falls; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Exercise; Fractures, Bone; Aging
PubMed: 37534209
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1187325