Postural control and the fear of falling in frail elderly and the role of a falls prevention program

Abstract

Objective: To investigate and analyze the effects produced by a multisensorial exercise program associated with instructions on falls prevention, on postural control and fear of falling in the frail elderly, treated at a rehabilitation service. Methods: A sample of 105 individuals aged over 60 years of both sex were recruited during a screening at the Polyclinic which verified their osteoarticular comorbidities. The volunteers were subjected to evaluations: Timed Up and Go (TUG); Unipedal stance test; Berg Balance Test; and the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). Those with fragility and risk of falling were invited to participate in a therapeutic program. The falls prevention program consisted of two orientation sessions on prevention and risks of falls and 10 sessions of Multisensorial exercises. Data were analyzed with the help of statistical package Graphy Pad In Stat using the Student t test or Wilcoxon (p < 0.05). Results: Of the 28 elderlies who entered the program, 24 concluded all sessions. Reevaluated after completion of the program, the elderlies showed significant improvements in tests: TUG, Unipedal stance test, Berg Scale, and FES-I. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the intervention program for preventing falls provided improvements on postural control and reduced the fear of falling of these elderlies