Key messages from scientific research that's ready to be acted on
Got It, Hide thisGrossman DC, Curry SJ, Owens DK, et al. Interventions to Prevent Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2018;319:1696-1704.
In people 65 years of age and older who live in the community, what can be done to prevent falls and related injuries?
People 65 years of age and older are more likely to fall, and falls often lead to injuries. There are many reasons why someone may fall, including problems with gait, balance, muscle weakness, and poor vision. It is uncertain whether there is anything that can be done to prevent falls.
The researchers did a systematic review based on studies available up to August 2016.
They found 54 randomized controlled trials with thousands of people.
The people in the studies:
Activities assessed to prevent falls included:
The findings are summarized in the Table below.
Exercise helps to prevent falls in people 65 years of age and older who live in the community. For people who have already had a fall or are at high risk for falling, a personalized assessment by their doctor or a specialist, followed by an action plan, may help to reduce the number of falls. Taking vitamin D does not reduce the risk for falling in people who are not known to have osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency.
Statements | Strength of evidence | Evidence |
Exercise helps to prevent falls in people 65 years of age and older who live in the community. | Moderate | Exercise reduced the number of people who fell (15 trials, 4926 people) and the risk for a person to have a fall that resulted in injury (10 trials, 4622 people). Some people who exercised had minor pain or bruising (8 trials, 4107 people), but they did not have an increased risk for serious injuries (2 trials). |
Low | Personalized assessment followed by an action plan reduced the risk for falls (17 trials, 9737 people). | |
Taking vitamin D does not reduce the risk for falls in people who are not known to have osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency. | Moderate to high | Vitamin D did not affect risk for falls (5 trials, 3496 people), the number of people who fell (6 trials, 6519 people), or the risk of dying (6 RCTs, 7084 people). Risk for falls may be increased with high doses of vitamin D (500,000 IU per year). |
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