This page lists key references for falls prevention interventions. Please note that it is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
Day, L., et al, ‘Randomised Factorial Trial of Falls Prevention Among Older People Living in Their Own Homes’, British Medical Journal, 325, (2002), 128.
Summary:
Group-based exercise was the most potent single intervention tested, and the reduction in falls among this group seems to have been associated with improved balance. Falls were further reduced by the addition of home hazard management or reduced vision management, or both of these.
Ceglia, L., ‘Vitamin D and Skeletal Muscle Tissue and Function’, Molecular Aspect of Medicine, 29, (2008), 359-360.
Dhesi, J., et al, ‘Neuromuscular and Psychomotor Function in Elderly Subjects Who Fall and the Relationship with Vitamin D Status’, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 17, (2002), 891-897.
Gillespie, L., et al, ‘Interventions for Preventing Falls in Elderly People’, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4, (2003), CD000340.
Summary:
Interventions to prevent falls that are likely to be effective are now available; less is known about their effectiveness in preventing fall-related injuries.
Li, F., et al, ‘Tai Chi and Fall Reductions in Older Adults: A Randomized Control Trial’, The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 60, (2005), 187-194.
Summary:
In this randomised control trial, Tai Chi was compared with a stretching control group in participants aged 70 and over. The results indicated that Tai Chi led to a 55% reduction in falls and a reduction in the number of falls experienced compared to the control group.
Inderjeeth, C., et al, ‘Vitamin D and Muscle Strength in Patients with Previous Fractures’, The New Zealand Medical Journal, 120, (2007), U2730.
Lord, S., et al, Falls in Older People: Risk Factors and Strategies for Prevention, second edition, (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2007).
Murray, M., et al, ‘Age Related Differences in Knee Muscle Strength in Normal Women’, Journal of Gerontology, 40, (1985), 275-80.
Pfeifer, M., et al, ‘Vitamin D and Muscle Function’, Osteoporosis International, 13, (2002), 187-194.
Robertson, M., et al, ‘Preventing Injuries in Older People by Preventing Falls: A Meta-Analysis of Individual-Level Data’, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 50, (2002), 905-911.
Summary:
The University of Otago conducted research with 1,016 participants in four controlled trials. Results showed that the Otago Exercise Programme reduced by 35% both the number of falls and the number of injuries resulting from falls.
Scragg, R., and Bartley, J., ‘Vitamin D: How Do We Define Deficiency and What Can We do about it in New Zealand?’, The New Zealand Medical Journal, 120, (2007), 1-4.
Tinetti, M., et al, ‘A Multifactorial Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Falling Among Elderly People Living in the Community’, New England Journal of Medicine, 331, (1994), 821-827.
Summary:
Multiple risk-factor intervention strategy resulted in significant reduction in the risk of falling among elderly persons in the community. Risk-factor modification may partially explain the reduction in the risk of falling.
Wolf, S., et al, ‘Reducing Frailty and Falls in Older Persons: An Investigation of Tai Chi and Computerized Balance Training’, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 44, (1996), 489-97.
Summary:
Attending a Tai Chi class twice weekly reduced the rate of falling by 47%.
Voukelatos, A., et al, ‘A Randomized, Controlled Trial for Tai Chi for the Prevention of Falls: The Central Sydney Tai Chi Trial’, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55, (2007), 1185-1191.
Summary:
Largest fall prevention study to date, involving 702 participants in the community. Results showed that Tai Chi significantly reduced the risk of multiple falls.
Wong, A., et al, ‘Coordination Exercise and Postural Stability in Elderly People: Effect of Tai Chi Chuan’, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 82, (2001), 608-12.
Summary:
Older people who regularly practised Tai Chi showed better postural stability in challenging conditions than those who did not, suggesting that Tai Chi may reduce the risk of a fall through maintaining the ability of posture control.
Last updated: 20 April 2009