Feasibility of a Multicomponent Digital Fall Prevention Exercise Intervention for At-Risk Older Adults

Feasibility of a Multicomponent Digital Fall Prevention Exercise Intervention for At-Risk Older Adults

BackgroundFalls are a leading cause of disability, institutionalization and mortality for older adults. More effective strategies to prevent falls are essential and may help at-risk older adults continue to live independently. While exercise programs with in-person supervision reduce fall risk, ther...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of frailty & aging Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. 349 - 358
Main Authors: Bajdek, N, Latham, N. K, Dishaw, M, Farrell, S, Shang, Y. V, Pencina, K. M, Valderrábano, R, McAlevey, M, Dixon, R, Williams, A, Hachen, N, Reid, Kieran F
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Rome Springer Nature B.V 2024
Subjects:
Aerobic exercise
Ankle
Balance
Coaching
Cognition
Cognitive ability
Critical incidents
Efficacy
Exercise
Falls
Fear & phobias
Feasibility
Fitness training programs
Institutionalization
Intervention
Muscle strength
Older people
Physical fitness
Physiology
Prevention
Prevention programs
Risk reduction
Sensors
Strength training
Surgery
Technology
Walking
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Summary:BackgroundFalls are a leading cause of disability, institutionalization and mortality for older adults. More effective strategies to prevent falls are essential and may help at-risk older adults continue to live independently. While exercise programs with in-person supervision reduce fall risk, there are numerous barriers associated with older adults’ participation in such programs. Digitally delivered exercise interventions utilizing wearable technology may be an alternative fall prevention strategy for many vulnerable older adults.ObjectivesTo evaluate the feasibility of a scalable, multicomponent, remotely delivered, digital fall prevention exercise intervention for community-dwelling older adults with elevated fall risk.DesignThis single arm intervention trial enrolled older adults who reported ≥ 2 falls, or ≥ 1 injurious fall in the past year, or fear of falling.Study Setting and ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years were recruited from the greater Boston region, MA, USA.InterventionThe 12-week multicomponent intervention was delivered via tablet and wearable sensors and consisted of a program of progressive moderate-intensity strength, power and balance training, adaptive aerobic walking exercise, regular coaching calls and digital motivational messaging.MeasurementsIntervention adherence and measures of intervention feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness were evaluated. Intervention effects on measures of fall risk, physical and cognitive performance, and other measures of well-being were also examined.ResultsTwenty-three participants enrolled in the study and 20 completed the intervention (mean age: 76.3±5.5 yrs; BMI: 26.9±4.6 kg/m2; short physical performance battery score: 8.8 ± 2.2; 70% female). Overall adherence rates were 84.4±14.6% with no serious adverse events. Significant reductions in fear of falling and improvements in cognition and technology readiness were elicited (p≤0.04).ConclusionThis study has demonstrated the feasibility of a multicomponent digital fall prevention exercise intervention for at-risk older adults. Additional studies are warranted to establish the efficacy of this highly scalable fall prevention strategy.
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ISSN:2260-1341
2273-4309
DOI:10.14283/jfa.2024.35