Citation

Kim BH, Newton RA, Sachs ML, Glutting JJ, Glanz K. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 2012; 60(6): 1109-1114.

Affiliation

Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.03959.x

PMID

22642231

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of guided relaxation and imagery (GRI) on improvement in falls self-efficacy in older adults who report having a fear of falling. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial with allocation to GRI or guided relaxation with music of choice. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-one men and women aged 60 to 92. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to listen to a GRI audio compact disk (intervention group) or a guided relaxation audio compact disk and music of choice (control group) twice a week for 6 weeks for 10 minutes per session. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measure was the Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Secondary outcome measures were the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) mobility test. RESULTS: GRI participants reported greater improvements on the Short FES-I (P = .002) and LTEQ (P = .001) scores and shorter time on the TUG (P = .002) than the guided relaxation and music-of-choice group. CONCLUSION: GRI was more effective at increasing falls self-efficacy and self-reported leisure time exercise and reducing times on a simple mobility test than was guided relaxation with music of choice. GRI is an effective, simple, low-cost tool for older adults to improve falls self-efficacy and leisure time exercise behaviors.

Language: en