Effectiveness of falls prevention intervention programme in community-dwelling older people in Thailand: Randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Although there is extensive research on falls prevention, most of this knowledge is from western countries, and this may limit its usefulness when implementing in countries with different culture and healthcare systems. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a falls prevention intervention programme for older people in Thailand. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-seven community-dwelling older people were randomized to either an intervention programme which included an education about falls risk management plus a home-based balance exercise delivered by a physiotherapist for four-month duration or control group. Falls, balance, physical activity, and other falls risk factors were measured at baseline and after programme completion. RESULTS: About 90% of the participants in the intervention group completed the programme, with very high adherence to the exercise programme, though poor compliance with the suggestions of other falls risks management. There were no falls or injuries related to the exercise programme reported. There was no significant difference in falls rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This falls prevention program was not effective in reducing falls in community-dwelling older people in Thailand. However, the study provided encouraging evidence that home-based balance exercise could be practically implemented in older people living in communities in Thailand.