THE EFFECT OF A MULTIDIMENSIONAL FALL PREVENTION PROGRAM ON STATIC AND DYNAMIC BALANCE IN NURSING HOMES IN TEHRAN

Imbalance is the main cause of the fall in elderly. Falling have physical,
spiritual, economic complications. The study aimed to determine the effect of multi-dimensional
falling prevention on static and dynamic balance in the elderly.
Material & Methods: This quasi-experimental study with pre/post design was conducted on 60 older
people living in nursing home that met the study inclusion criteria. The multidimensional intervention
focused on the education of the older adults and caregivers, exercise (stretch, balance, and power
exercises), and environmental modification. Intervention was carried out after obtaining informed
consents, and data were collected before the intervention, and 6 months later by using demographic
information form, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment
(POMA). Descriptive statistics were used for classification of data, and inferential statistics for
analysis of data including Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis, and Kolomogorov-Smirnov tests to
confirm normal distribution of the data. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Mean mobility assessment (POMA) scores in older adults, before and 6 months later
intervention were17.21±3.68 and 24.54±1.88, respectively. Also mean recorded time for the elderly in
TUG test before and 6 months after intervention were 21.55±6.99 and15.11±3.54, respectively.
Results revealed a significant difference between before and after intervention among participants in
mobility assessment test (P<0.001) and Timed Up and Go (P<0.001).
Conclusion: After the intervention, the balance in the elderly increased. Implementation of
multidimensional fall prevention program led to the improvement in static and dynamic balance in
older people. Health care providers, especially nurses can use fall prevention program to improve
balance and subsequently reduce falls in the elderly living in nursing homes