Citation

Harada A. Clin. Calcium 2004; 14(11): 1737-1740.

Affiliation

Department of Functional Restoration, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Iyanku Journal Company)

DOI

CliCa041117371740

PMID

15577162

Abstract

Many programs to prevent falls were designed for intervention in fall risk factors. Several meta-analyses, based on many randomized, controlled trials and conducted for the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of these interventions, have been published recently. According to these studies, multifactorial fall risk assessment and management, as well as muscle strengthening and balance retraining, succeeded in reducing falls by approximately 10-38%. Only New Zealand trials were found to decrease even injurious falls, with reduction of moderate or serious injuries by 35% using fall prevention. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups when looking at only serious injuries such as fractures. Thus, fall prevention can prevent falls, but not fractures at present.