Key messages from scientific research that's ready to be acted on
Got It, Hide thisWylie G, Torrens C, Campbell P, et al. Podiatry interventions to prevent falls in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age Ageing. 2019;48:327-36.
In older adults who live in the community or in care homes, do podiatry interventions prevent falls?
Foot problems like pain, bunions, and low ankle range of motion can lead to higher risk of falls. So too can shoes with heels or without straps or closures. Podiatrists can do an assessment of a person’s foot concerns and recommend treatments like exercises, orthotics or proper shoes, and bunion removal.
The researchers did a systematic review based on studies available up to July 2018.
They found 7 randomized controlled trials and 2 non-randomized studies with 6,502 people.
The key features of the studies were:
Single component interventions did not affect falls.
Multiple component and multidisciplinary interventions reduced falls compared with usual care.
In older adults, including podiatry assessment as part of a multiple component approach reduces falls compared with usual care. If you have a history of falling or are at risk of falling, seeing a podiatrist, in addition to other measures such as doing foot exercises and wearing proper shoes, may reduce your risk.
Intervention category* | Number of trials (and people) | Effect of podiatrist interventions vs usual care on the rate of falls |
Single component interventions | 1 trial (121 people) | No difference in effect |
Multiple component interventions | 3 trials (1,339 people) | 23 fewer people fell out of 100 (from as few as 1 to as many as 39) |
Multidisciplinary interventions | 3 trials (1,243 people) | 27 fewer people fell out of 100 (from as few as 2 to as many as 46) |
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