Student coaching in a rural community fall prevention program: An exploratory study. 2023

Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Hazel Hall, Maryland, USA.

Falls are a significant cause of disability internationally. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the effectiveness of a community fall prevention program, Stepping On (SO), using nine student physical therapists and program faculty in a rural setting. A mixed-methods design was utilized. Students partnered with older adults to master exercises, demonstrate floor recovery techniques, and manage community navigation in line with program fidelity. A descriptive survey assessed program outcomes. Students participated in a follow-up focus group to discuss perspectives on their role in the program. One hundred and seventeen community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 75.2 ± 8.5) completed the program. Participants who lived alone were likely to limit their activities because of fear of falling (p = .045). Following SO most subjects (87.7%) described having a better understanding of falls and their causes, with a plan to arise from the floor (82.6%). Focus group themes underscored students' opportunity to facilitate, reinforce safety during mobility activities, and motivate participants. Furthermore, an increased awareness of other professions' contribution to fall prevention was noted. Following a community fall prevention program, older adults have a better understanding of fall prevention and plan for floor recovery. In turn, student coaching skills are reinforced.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D005178 Faculty TEACHING and administrative staff having academic rank in a post-secondary educational institution. University Professor,Professor, University,Professors, University,University Professors
D005239 Fear The affective response to an actual current external danger which subsides with the elimination of the threatening condition. Threat Cues,Threat Sensitivity,Cue, Threat,Fears,Sensitivity, Threat,Threat Cue,Threat Sensitivities
D005853 Geriatrics The branch of medicine concerned with the physiological and pathological aspects of the aged, including the clinical problems of senescence and senility. Gerontology
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000071252 Mentoring The art and practice of training, guiding, COUNSELING, and providing support to a less experienced, trained, or knowledgeable person. Coaching
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old
D012424 Rural Population The inhabitants of rural areas or of small towns classified as rural. Rural Residence,Rural Communities,Rural Spatial Distribution,Communities, Rural,Community, Rural,Distribution, Rural Spatial,Distributions, Rural Spatial,Population, Rural,Populations, Rural,Residence, Rural,Rural Community,Rural Populations,Rural Residences,Rural Spatial Distributions
D013336 Students, Health Occupations Individuals enrolled in a school or formal educational program in the health occupations. Health Occupations Students,Health Occupations Student,Occupations Student, Health,Occupations Students, Health,Student, Health Occupations
D015444 Exercise Physical activity which is usually regular and done with the intention of improving or maintaining PHYSICAL FITNESS or HEALTH. Contrast with PHYSICAL EXERTION which is concerned largely with the physiologic and metabolic response to energy expenditure. Aerobic Exercise,Exercise, Aerobic,Exercise, Isometric,Exercise, Physical,Isometric Exercise,Physical Activity,Acute Exercise,Exercise Training,Activities, Physical,Activity, Physical,Acute Exercises,Aerobic Exercises,Exercise Trainings,Exercise, Acute,Exercises,Exercises, Acute,Exercises, Aerobic,Exercises, Isometric,Exercises, Physical,Isometric Exercises,Physical Activities,Physical Exercise,Physical Exercises,Training, Exercise,Trainings, Exercise

Related Publications

Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
July 2017, Geriatrics & gerontology international,
Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
January 2017, Frontiers in public health,
Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
January 1978, Rocky Mountain medical journal,
Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
January 2003, Nihon Ronen Igakkai zasshi. Japanese journal of geriatrics,
Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
December 2018, Canadian journal on aging = La revue canadienne du vieillissement,
Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
December 1997, Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.),
Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
March 2002, Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH,
Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
January 2024, International journal of environmental research and public health,
Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
May 2012, Journal of physical activity & health,
Dennis Klima, and Nathan Austin, and Katherine Avila, and Aspen Savoy, and Nicholas Rhoten, and Emily Wehland, and Jessica Weimert, and Jesstine Wolfe
January 2005, Director (Cincinnati, Ohio),
Copied contents to your clipboard!