Occupational Therapy Fall Prevention Interventions for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review. 2018

Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
Sharon Elliott, DHS, GCG, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, is Healthy Aging Specialist, Pitt County Council on Aging, Greenville, NC; sjelliottotr@gmail.com.

OBJECTIVE Accidental falls among community-dwelling older adults are preventable and increase the risk of morbidity, hospitalization, and institutionalization. We updated and broadened a 2008 systematic review examining the evidence for the effectiveness of fall prevention interventions in improving fall-related outcomes, occupational performance, quality of life, and health care facility readmissions for community-dwelling older adults. METHODS We searched and analyzed literature published from 2008 to 2015 from five electronic databases. RESULTS Fifty articles met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised and synthesized-37 provided Level I; 5, Level II; and 8, Level III evidence. Analysis was organized into four intervention themes: single component, multicomponent, multifactorial, and population based. Mixed evidence was found for single-component and multifactorial interventions, strong evidence was found for multicomponent interventions, and moderate evidence was found for population-based interventions. CONCLUSIONS These findings can inform the delivery and integration of fall prevention interventions from acute care to community discharge.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009788 Occupational Therapy Skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. It assists in the development of skills needed for independent living. Ergotherapy,Therapy, Occupational,Ergotherapies,Occupational Therapies,Therapies, Occupational
D011788 Quality of Life A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease. HRQOL,Health-Related Quality Of Life,Life Quality,Health Related Quality Of Life
D004856 Postural Balance A POSTURE in which an ideal body mass distribution is achieved. Postural balance provides the body carriage stability and conditions for normal functions in stationary position or in movement, such as sitting, standing, or walking. Postural Control,Posture Balance,Posture Control,Posture Equilibrium,Balance, Postural,Musculoskeletal Equilibrium,Postural Equilibrium,Balance, Posture,Control, Postural,Control, Posture,Equilibrium, Musculoskeletal,Equilibrium, Postural,Equilibrium, Posture,Postural Controls,Posture Balances,Posture Controls,Posture Equilibriums
D005081 Exercise Therapy A regimen or plan of physical activities designed and prescribed for specific therapeutic goals. Its purpose is to restore normal musculoskeletal function or to reduce pain caused by diseases or injuries. Rehabilitation Exercise,Remedial Exercise,Therapy, Exercise,Exercise Therapies,Exercise, Rehabilitation,Exercise, Remedial,Exercises, Rehabilitation,Exercises, Remedial,Rehabilitation Exercises,Remedial Exercises,Therapies, Exercise
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000058 Accidental Falls Falls due to slipping or tripping which may result in injury. Falls, Accidental,Falling,Falls,Slip and Fall,Accidental Fall,Fall and Slip,Fall, Accidental
D000203 Activities of Daily Living The performance of the basic activities of self care, such as dressing, ambulation, or eating. ADL,Chronic Limitation of Activity,Limitation of Activity, Chronic,Activities, Daily Living,Activity, Daily Living,Daily Living Activities,Daily Living Activity,Living Activities, Daily,Living Activity, Daily
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D057187 Independent Living A housing and community arrangement that maximizes independence and self-determination. Aging in Place,Community Dwelling,Dwelling, Community,Dwellings, Community,Living, Independent

Related Publications

Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
January 2018, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association,
Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
January 2018, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association,
Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
January 2018, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association,
Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
December 2018, Annals of internal medicine,
Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
June 2020, The New England journal of medicine,
Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
June 2020, The New England journal of medicine,
Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
June 2020, The New England journal of medicine,
Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
June 2020, The New England journal of medicine,
Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
April 2013, JAMA,
Sharon Elliott, and Natalie E Leland
January 2020, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association,
Copied contents to your clipboard!