4.8.1 The effect of a fall prevention program on gait and balance of community-dwelling elders (14)
Naiyana Piphatvanitcha, An Instructor, Faculty of Nursing, Burapha University, Chonburi: Thailand, faculty of Nursing, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand Co authors: Jiraporn Kespichayawattana, Yupin Aungsuroch & Joan K. Magilvy
Abstract:
Background:
The phenomenon of falls in community-dwelling elders is clearly a significant global health care problem. Synthesis of the evidence found that a Fall Prevention Program for community-dwelling elders should combine strategies including fall prevention education sessions and Tai-Chi exercise sessions.
Aims:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a Fall Prevention Program on gait and balance of community-dwelling elders before and at the 8th weeks after the program.
Methods:
The design of this study was a quasi-experimental design: nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest control group design. A Fall Prevention Program was constructed by applying the Health Belief model included 4-fall prevention education sessions and 8-Tai Chi exercise sessions. Then, the participants had practiced fall prevention behavior and practiced Tai Chi exercise in group sessions 30-45 minutes x 3 days per week though a 8-week of intervention.
Sample size & sampling method:
The 23 participants in each the experimental and control groups were the community-dwelling elders who had at least 1 fall in 12 month prior to participating in the study. The variables of age, gender, and number of falls were used to match paired for the similarity between the both groups. Results The paired t test analysis indicated that after participation in a Fall Prevention Program, the experimental group had significantly higher mean score of the Berg Balance Scale and had significantly lower or better mean score of the Time up and Go test than the control group (p < .05).
Discussion & conclusions:
The finding indicated that a Fall Prevention Program in this study is effectively on improving gait and balance in the elders and can be an effective way for prevention falls in elders especially who have high risk of falls.
Source of Funding: Non UK
Level of Funding: 1,000 - 10,000
Biography:
Naiyana Piphatvanitcha was born January 1, 1964 in Chonburi province, the Eastern seaboard of Thailand. After attending school in Chonburi, she earned the following degrees: Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery: Equivalent to Bachelor of Nursing, from Chonburi Nursing College (1986); Certificated in Medical Nursing Specialty, from Mahidol University (1988), M.S.N. (Medical and Surgical Nursing), from Chiang Mai University (1992), Certificated in Occupational Nursing, from Burapha University (2003), and Ph.D. (Nursing) from Chulalongkorn University (2007). She had experienced as a Registered Nurse in the area of medical nursing services department for the adults and older adults at Chonburi hospital for 11 years. In 1997- present, she has worked as an instructor of the Faculty of Nursing, Burapha University, Chonburi: Thailand. International Oral Presentation Piphatvanitcha, N. 2005 “State of Science: Fall Prevention Program in Community-Dwelling Elders” in Sixth International Conference “Creative Solutions for an Ageing Society: Sharing the Wisdom” 27 – 29 June 2005 at Trondheim: Norway (Organized by International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing, USA).