Reducing Falls among Asian Community-dwelling Older People through Fall Prevention Programs: An Integrative Review

Hai Mai Ba; Katre Maasalu; Binh Ho Duy

Authors

Hai Mai Ba RN, MNS, PhD, Faculty of Nursing, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49000, Vietnam.
Katre Maasalu MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Clinic of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.
Binh Ho Duy MD, PhD, Faculty of Nursing, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49000, Vietnam.

Keywords:

Accidental Falls, Physical exercise, Community-dwelling elderly, Asia

Abstract

Falls among community-dwelling older people is a serious concern globally since they are recognized as a major cause of mortality and an increasing illness burden. This integrative review aimed to gain insight to the characteristics and effectiveness of fall prevention interventions among Asian community-dwelling older people. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Sciences, and Embase databases were used to search for articles published between 2006 and 2020. The research was carried out in English or Vietnamese and combined the following inclusion criteria: fall prevention intervention, community-dwelling elderly, and results concerning fall-related outcomes.
Thirteen studies from China, Thailand, Japan, and Iran met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The characteristics of fall prevention interventions were categorized into five main components: fall risk assessment, medication management, physical exercise, environmental modification, and health education. Overall, the effectiveness of fall prevention intervention significantly reduced fall rates and fall-related outcomes for community-dwelling older people in Asian countries. However, there were differences in intervention types, outcome measures, and time frames. This review emphasizes the importance of combined exercise intervention as an essential component in strengthening motor skills, balancing ability, and increasing physical condition. Future study should be conducted in big databases to avoid missing important studies, and additional research from Asia is essential to prepare for future challenges of reducing falls among the elderly in this area.

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