Research Article
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Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results

Year 2024, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 75 - 84, 31.01.2024
https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1270520

Abstract

Purpose: Physiotherapists frequently interact with older adults. We aimed to determine the physiotherapists’ practices for fall risk and prevention in clients at 65 years and older.
Material and Methods: 72 physiotherapists responded to online survey including questions about demographic and professional characteristics, the awareness and practices of physiotherapists on falling and preventing falls.
Results: 91.7% of physiotherapists reported that fall risk should be determined in all clients at 65 years and older. 30.6% of them stated that they evaluated the risk of falling in case of necessity, 83.3% stated that they did not use a standard assessment-treatment flow chart for risk of falling. In elderly clients with low or no risk of falling, 8.1% of physiotherapists; In elderly clients with high risk of falling 83.3% of physiotherapist applied a preventive physiotherapy approach to prevent falls. 67.9% of physiotherapists provide training and advice on fall prevention to elderly clients with low or no fall risk; 73.5% prefer assistive device reclamation in elderly clients with a high risk of falling.
Conclusion: Interventions should be planned to improve fall risk awareness and practices among physiotherapists by following a standard assessment-treatment flow chart for their clients 65 years and older.

Project Number

yok

References

  • Florence CS, Bergen G, Atherly A, Burns E, Stevens J, Drake C. Medical costs of fatal and nonfatal falls in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2018;66:693-698.
  • Galet C, Zhou Y, Eyck PT, Romanowski KS. Fall injuries, associated deaths, and 30-day readmission for subsequent falls are increasing in the elderly US population: a query of the WHO mortality database and National Readmission Database from 2010 to 2014. Clin Epidemiol 2018;10:1627-1637.
  • Vieira ER, Palmer RC, Chaves PH. Prevention of falls in older people living in the community. BMJ 2016;353:i1419.
  • Telatar TG, Üner S, Özcebe H, Biçer BK, Küçük B, Sarı ÖY. Defining falls and associated risk factors in elderly among age groups and sex. Selcuk Med J.2020;36(2):101-108.
  • Özer FF, Akın S. Düşmenin epidemiyolojisi. Aegean J Med Sci 2018;1(4):126-128.
  • Güner SG, Nural N. Yaşlılarda düşme: Ülkemizde yapılmış tez çalışmaları kapsamında durum saptama. İzmir Kâtip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi 2017;2:9-15.
  • Rasche P, Nitschet V, Rentemeister L et al. The aachen falls prevention scale: multi-study evaluation and comparison. JMIR Aging 2019:2(1):e12114.
  • Shubert TE. Evidence-based exercise prescription for balance and falls prevention: a current review of the literature. J Geriatr Phys Ther 2011;34(3):100-108.
  • Thomas E, Battaglia G, Patti A et al. Physical activity programs for balance and fall prevention in elderly: a systematic review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019;98(27):e16218
  • Kruschke C, Butcher HK. Evidence-based practice guideline: fall prevention for older adults. J Gerontol Nurs 2017;43(11):15-21.
  • Phelan EA, Mahoney JE, Voit JC, Stevens JA. Assessment and management of fall risk in primary care settings. Med Clin North Am 2015;99(2):281-93.
  • Ishigaki EY, Ramos LG, Carvalho ES, Lunardi AC. Effectiveness of muscle strengthening and description of protocols for preventing falls in the elderly: a systematic review. Braz J Phys Ther 2014;18(2):111-118.
  • Nunan S, Brown Wilson C, Henwood T, Parker D. Fall risk assessment tools for use among older adults in long-term care settings: A systematic review of the literature. Australas J Ageing 2018;37(1):23-33.
  • Panel on prevention of falls in older persons. Summary of the updated American Geriatrics Society & British Geriatrics Society clinical practice guideline for prevention of falls in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 2011;59:148-57.
  • Muir SW, Berg K, Chesworth B, Klar N, Speechley M. Balance impairment as a risk factor for falls in community-dwelling older adults who are high functioning: a prospective study. Phys Ther 2010;90:338-347.
  • Muir SW, Berg K, Chesworth B, Speechley M. Use of the berg balance scale for predicting multiple falls in community-dwelling elderly people: a prospective study. Phys Ther 2008;88:449-459.
  • Li F, Eckstrom E, Harmer P, Fitzgerald K, Voit J, Cameron KA. Exercise and fall prevention: narrowing the research-to-practice gap and enhancing ıntegration of clinical and community practice. J Am Geriatr Soc 2016;64(2):425-431.
  • Ang SGM, O'Brien AP, Wilson A. Understanding carers' fall concern and their management of fall risk among older people at home. BMC Geriatr 2019;19(1):144. Bulut S, Türk G, Şahbaz M. Hemşirelerin hasta düşmelerini önlemeye yönelik uygulamalarının belirlenmesi. Anadolu Hemşirelik ve Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 2013;16(3):163-169.
  • Laing SS, Silver IF, York S, Phelan EA. Fall prevention knowledge, attitude, and practices of community stakeholders and older adults. J Aging Res 2011;2011:1–9.
  • Asiri F, ALMohiza MA, Faia Aseeri M et al. Fall prevention knowledge and practice patterns among home healthcare professionals in southern Saudi Arabia: an observational study. J Int Med Res 2018;46(12):5062-5073.
  • Peel C, Brown CJ, Lane A, Milliken E, Patel K. A survey of fall prevention knowledge and practice patterns in home health physical therapists. J Geriatr Phys Ther 2008;31(2):64-70.
  • Kalu ME, Vlachantoni A, Norman KE. Knowledge about risk factors for falls and practice about fall prevention in older adults among physiotherapists in Nigeria. Physiother Res Int 2019;24(1):e1742.
  • Park SH. Tools for assessing fall risk in the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Clin Exp Res 2018;30:1-16.
  • Longridge NS. Clinical Romberg testing does not detect vestibular disease. Otol Neurotol 2010;31(5):803-6.
  • Agrawal Y. The modified Romberg balance test: normative data in US adults. Otol Neurotol 2011;32(8):1309–1311.
  • Budson AE, Solomon PR. Evaluating the patient with memory loss or dementia. In: Budson AE, Solomon PR, editors. Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, and Dementia. Elsevie;2016.p.5-38.
  • van Poelgeest, EP, Pronk AC, Rhebergen D et al. Depression, antidepressants and fall risk: therapeutic dilemmas-a clinical review. Eur Geriatr Med 2021;12:585-596.
  • Byers AL, Sheeran T, Mlodzianowski AE et al. Depression and risk for adverse falls in older home health care patients. Res Gerontol Nurs 2008;1(4):245-251.
  • Phelan EA, Mahoney JE, Voit JC, Stevens JA. Assessment and management of fall risk in primary care settings. Med Clin North Am 2015;99(2):281-93Ott LD.
  • The impact of implementing a fall prevention educational session for community-dwelling physical therapy patients. Nurs Open 2018;5(4):567-574.

Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results

Year 2024, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 75 - 84, 31.01.2024
https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1270520

Abstract

Supporting Institution

yok

Project Number

yok

Thanks

yok

References

  • Florence CS, Bergen G, Atherly A, Burns E, Stevens J, Drake C. Medical costs of fatal and nonfatal falls in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2018;66:693-698.
  • Galet C, Zhou Y, Eyck PT, Romanowski KS. Fall injuries, associated deaths, and 30-day readmission for subsequent falls are increasing in the elderly US population: a query of the WHO mortality database and National Readmission Database from 2010 to 2014. Clin Epidemiol 2018;10:1627-1637.
  • Vieira ER, Palmer RC, Chaves PH. Prevention of falls in older people living in the community. BMJ 2016;353:i1419.
  • Telatar TG, Üner S, Özcebe H, Biçer BK, Küçük B, Sarı ÖY. Defining falls and associated risk factors in elderly among age groups and sex. Selcuk Med J.2020;36(2):101-108.
  • Özer FF, Akın S. Düşmenin epidemiyolojisi. Aegean J Med Sci 2018;1(4):126-128.
  • Güner SG, Nural N. Yaşlılarda düşme: Ülkemizde yapılmış tez çalışmaları kapsamında durum saptama. İzmir Kâtip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi 2017;2:9-15.
  • Rasche P, Nitschet V, Rentemeister L et al. The aachen falls prevention scale: multi-study evaluation and comparison. JMIR Aging 2019:2(1):e12114.
  • Shubert TE. Evidence-based exercise prescription for balance and falls prevention: a current review of the literature. J Geriatr Phys Ther 2011;34(3):100-108.
  • Thomas E, Battaglia G, Patti A et al. Physical activity programs for balance and fall prevention in elderly: a systematic review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019;98(27):e16218
  • Kruschke C, Butcher HK. Evidence-based practice guideline: fall prevention for older adults. J Gerontol Nurs 2017;43(11):15-21.
  • Phelan EA, Mahoney JE, Voit JC, Stevens JA. Assessment and management of fall risk in primary care settings. Med Clin North Am 2015;99(2):281-93.
  • Ishigaki EY, Ramos LG, Carvalho ES, Lunardi AC. Effectiveness of muscle strengthening and description of protocols for preventing falls in the elderly: a systematic review. Braz J Phys Ther 2014;18(2):111-118.
  • Nunan S, Brown Wilson C, Henwood T, Parker D. Fall risk assessment tools for use among older adults in long-term care settings: A systematic review of the literature. Australas J Ageing 2018;37(1):23-33.
  • Panel on prevention of falls in older persons. Summary of the updated American Geriatrics Society & British Geriatrics Society clinical practice guideline for prevention of falls in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 2011;59:148-57.
  • Muir SW, Berg K, Chesworth B, Klar N, Speechley M. Balance impairment as a risk factor for falls in community-dwelling older adults who are high functioning: a prospective study. Phys Ther 2010;90:338-347.
  • Muir SW, Berg K, Chesworth B, Speechley M. Use of the berg balance scale for predicting multiple falls in community-dwelling elderly people: a prospective study. Phys Ther 2008;88:449-459.
  • Li F, Eckstrom E, Harmer P, Fitzgerald K, Voit J, Cameron KA. Exercise and fall prevention: narrowing the research-to-practice gap and enhancing ıntegration of clinical and community practice. J Am Geriatr Soc 2016;64(2):425-431.
  • Ang SGM, O'Brien AP, Wilson A. Understanding carers' fall concern and their management of fall risk among older people at home. BMC Geriatr 2019;19(1):144. Bulut S, Türk G, Şahbaz M. Hemşirelerin hasta düşmelerini önlemeye yönelik uygulamalarının belirlenmesi. Anadolu Hemşirelik ve Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 2013;16(3):163-169.
  • Laing SS, Silver IF, York S, Phelan EA. Fall prevention knowledge, attitude, and practices of community stakeholders and older adults. J Aging Res 2011;2011:1–9.
  • Asiri F, ALMohiza MA, Faia Aseeri M et al. Fall prevention knowledge and practice patterns among home healthcare professionals in southern Saudi Arabia: an observational study. J Int Med Res 2018;46(12):5062-5073.
  • Peel C, Brown CJ, Lane A, Milliken E, Patel K. A survey of fall prevention knowledge and practice patterns in home health physical therapists. J Geriatr Phys Ther 2008;31(2):64-70.
  • Kalu ME, Vlachantoni A, Norman KE. Knowledge about risk factors for falls and practice about fall prevention in older adults among physiotherapists in Nigeria. Physiother Res Int 2019;24(1):e1742.
  • Park SH. Tools for assessing fall risk in the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Clin Exp Res 2018;30:1-16.
  • Longridge NS. Clinical Romberg testing does not detect vestibular disease. Otol Neurotol 2010;31(5):803-6.
  • Agrawal Y. The modified Romberg balance test: normative data in US adults. Otol Neurotol 2011;32(8):1309–1311.
  • Budson AE, Solomon PR. Evaluating the patient with memory loss or dementia. In: Budson AE, Solomon PR, editors. Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, and Dementia. Elsevie;2016.p.5-38.
  • van Poelgeest, EP, Pronk AC, Rhebergen D et al. Depression, antidepressants and fall risk: therapeutic dilemmas-a clinical review. Eur Geriatr Med 2021;12:585-596.
  • Byers AL, Sheeran T, Mlodzianowski AE et al. Depression and risk for adverse falls in older home health care patients. Res Gerontol Nurs 2008;1(4):245-251.
  • Phelan EA, Mahoney JE, Voit JC, Stevens JA. Assessment and management of fall risk in primary care settings. Med Clin North Am 2015;99(2):281-93Ott LD.
  • The impact of implementing a fall prevention educational session for community-dwelling physical therapy patients. Nurs Open 2018;5(4):567-574.
There are 30 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Health Care Administration
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Hülya Tuna 0000-0002-7093-7670

Barış Gürpınar 0000-0003-3886-4819

Nursen İlçin 0000-0003-0174-8224

Project Number yok
Early Pub Date January 31, 2024
Publication Date January 31, 2024
Submission Date March 24, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2024 Volume: 8 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Tuna, H., Gürpınar, B., & İlçin, N. (2024). Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, 8(1), 75-84. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1270520
AMA Tuna H, Gürpınar B, İlçin N. Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results. JBACHS. January 2024;8(1):75-84. doi:10.30621/jbachs.1270520
Chicago Tuna, Hülya, Barış Gürpınar, and Nursen İlçin. “Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results”. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences 8, no. 1 (January 2024): 75-84. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1270520.
EndNote Tuna H, Gürpınar B, İlçin N (January 1, 2024) Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences 8 1 75–84.
IEEE H. Tuna, B. Gürpınar, and N. İlçin, “Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results”, JBACHS, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 75–84, 2024, doi: 10.30621/jbachs.1270520.
ISNAD Tuna, Hülya et al. “Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results”. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences 8/1 (January 2024), 75-84. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1270520.
JAMA Tuna H, Gürpınar B, İlçin N. Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results. JBACHS. 2024;8:75–84.
MLA Tuna, Hülya et al. “Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results”. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, vol. 8, no. 1, 2024, pp. 75-84, doi:10.30621/jbachs.1270520.
Vancouver Tuna H, Gürpınar B, İlçin N. Practices of Physiotherapists on the Risk of Falls and Prevention in Clients Aged 65 and Older: Online Survey Results. JBACHS. 2024;8(1):75-84.