@article{ref1,
title="Near-falls in Singapore community-dwelling older adults: a feasibility study",
journal="Pilot and feasibility studies",
year="2021",
author="Soon, Benjamin and Yeh, Ting-Ting and Lane, Judith and Tan, Chee-Wee and Soh, Shawn Leng-Hsien",
volume="7",
number="1",
pages="e25-e25",
abstract="BACKGROUND: A near-fall is defined as a loss of balance that would result in a fall if sufficient balance recovery manoeuvres are not executed. Compared to falls,  near-falls and its associated balance recovery manoeuvres have been understudied. Older adults may not recognise a near-fall or identify the use of their balance  recovery manoeuvres to prevent a fall. The consensus on the methods to collect  near-fall data is lacking. The primary objective of this study was to determine the  feasibility of recruitment and retention. Secondary objectives were to establish  evidence that Singapore community-dwelling older adults can identify near-falls and  associated balance recovery manoeuvres. Texting and calling methods were explored as  reporting methods. <br><br>METHODS: This study took place in Singapore (September to October  2019). Participants were healthy, community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older. Recruitment was done through poster advertisement, and all participants gave  informed consent. Participants attended a briefing session and reported their  near-fall or fall incidence over 21 days using either daily texting or calling. The  primary outcome measures were the recruitment rate, retention rate, preferred modes  for data reporting and ability to report near-falls or falls. Secondary outcomes  included the self-reported incidence of falls and near-falls. <br><br>RESULTS: Thirty older  adults were recruited in 5 weeks. All participants completed the study. They  understood near-fall concepts and were able to report the occurrence and relevant  balance recovery manoeuvres used to prevent a fall. 87% (26/30) chose to text while  13% (4/30) selected calling as their reporting method. One actual fall (0.16%) out  of 630 responses was reported. Thirty-six incidents (5.7%) of near-falls were  recorded. Sixteen participants (53.3%) experienced near-falls and half of this group  experienced two or more near-falls. The use of reach-to-grasp strategy (36%),  compensatory stepping (52.8%), and other body regions (11.2%) were used to prevent  the fall. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The study provided evidence that studying near-falls in  Singapore community-dwelling older adults is feasible and can be applied to a  large-scale study. Recruitment and retention rates were good. Older adults were able  to identify near-falls and balance recovery manoeuvres. Both texting and calling  were feasible reporting methods, but texting was preferred. TRIAL REGISTRATION:  ClinicalTrials identifier: NCT04087551. Registered on September 12, 2019.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2055-5784",
doi="10.1186/s40814-020-00748-1",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40814-020-00748-1"
}