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Effects of an exercise program combining unsupervised home exercises and supervised group-based exercises on fall-related variables in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

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Key Summary Points

AbstractSection Aim

To measure the effects of home exercises complemented with supervision on fall-related variables in older people.

AbstractSection Findings

Supervised home exercise seems superior only on functional mobility (TUGT).

AbstractSection Message

Older individuals who do not have exercise habits should be motivated to exercise training in daily life.

Abstract

Purpose

The aim was to measure the effects of the home exercises supported with supervision on the fall-related variables in older people.

Methods

Seventy-five individuals over the age of 65 were enrolled. They were allocated to a “minimally supervised home exercise group” (group 1) or a “home exercise group” (group 2). Falls efficacy, fear of falling (FOF), fall risk, functional mobility, balance performance, and depression were assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), visual analog scale (VAS-FOF), the Elderly Falls Screening Test (EFST), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Tinetti’s Balance Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (BPOMA), and the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-SF), respectively. Participants performed a four-day weekly exercise program for eight weeks. Group 1 was supervised one day per week on a group basis.

Results

Results are based on 75 subjects (group 1 n = 37, group 2 n = 38). Analysis of variance revealed significant interactions only for FES-I, VAS-FOF, TUGT, and BPOMA. The difference between groups was significant only for TUGT score; group 1 had better scores at 8 weeks and 6 months. FES-I, VAS-FOF, and BPOMA were significantly improved in both groups. EFST and GDS improved in the total sample but not at the group level.

Conclusion

Supervised home exercise seems to be superior only for functional mobility (TUGT). Further studies with a larger sample are needed to draw conclusions about depression and fall risk. The intervention was feasible and atendible.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov" NCT05337839. Retrospectively registered.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable requests.

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Acknowledgements

There is no acknowledgment.

Funding

No funding was received for conducting this study. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Ayca Avci Trakyali

    Present address: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Torbali State Hospital, Torbali-Izmir, Turkey

  2. Bugra Ince

    Present address: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Health Science University, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Health Science University, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey

    Taciser Kaya

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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation and data collection were performed by Ayca Avci Trakyali, Taciser Kaya, and Bugra Ince. Statistical analysis were performed by Bugra Ince. The manuscript was written by Taciser Kaya and Bugra Ince, and all authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Taciser Kaya.

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Conflict of interest

None.

Ethical approval and informed consent

This study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital (Date: 17 Nov, 2011, Meeting no: 02, Decision No: 03). This study was approved by the local ethics committee of our hospital. All the participants gave signed written informed consent.

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Avci Trakyali, A., Kaya, T. & Ince, B. Effects of an exercise program combining unsupervised home exercises and supervised group-based exercises on fall-related variables in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Eur Geriatr Med 14, 59–67 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-022-00724-3

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