Mobiele menu

Fear of falling, falls and quality of life in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial on the reduction of fear of falling, falls and risk for falling and on associated increase in functional ability, activity level and quality of life in community

Projectomschrijving

Verslagen


Samenvatting van de aanvraag

Fall rates and their adverse consequences such as fear of falling and dysfunctioning are common in elderly persons and will increase in the future. The objectives of this intervention project are twofold: (1) to evaluate a cognitive-behavioral program which aims to reduce fear of falling and to improve levels of physical and social activity, functional ability, quality of life (Intervention A), and (2) to evaluate a physical intervention-program to reduce falls, injury and risk for falls by improving balance and gait, muscle strength and physical fitness (Intervention B); both interventions are conducted in community-living older persons who are at risk for falling. Intervention A consists of nine 2-hour group sessions guided by a trained nurse (period: 3 months); the programme focuses on behavioral/attitude change. Intervention B consists of nine 30-minute group sessions guided by a physiotherapist and focuses on improvement of balance/gait, muscle strength and physical fitness (period: 6 months). The effects of both programmes will be compared to usual care in a control group. We include 540 persons of 70 years and older with substantial levels of fear of falling and mobility limitations at baseline who are recruited from 22 general practices in Limburg by means of a mail questionnaire (screening; n=5500). These 540 persons will be assigned randomly to three groups of n=180 each. Three follow ups are scheduled after the baseline: at 3, 9 and 15 months.

Onderwerpen

Kenmerken

Projectnummer:
22000108
Looptijd: 100%
Looptijd: 100 %
2002
2002
Onderdeel van programma:
Projectleider en penvoerder:
Verantwoordelijke organisatie:
Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum+