School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Jean McFarlane Building, University Place, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9NQ, UK.
BMC Geriatr. 2020 Nov 18;20(1):483. doi: 10.1186/s12877-020-01880-6.
Exercise interventions, particularly those targeting strength and balance, are effective in preventing falls in older people. Activity levels are generally below recommended levels and reduce with age. There is concern that exercise levels may be further reduced in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital approaches may offer a means for older people to engage in strength and balance exercises independently in their own homes. The objective of this review was to identify and evaluate existing apps and websites to support independent engagement in strength and balance exercises by older people.
We conducted a rapid review of apps and websites, following PRISMA guidelines. We searched for available apps in the Android and iOS app stores, and performed a database search (MEDLINE and EMBASE) for apps in development. We searched for websites using the Google search engine. Apps and websites were evaluated in terms of existing evidence for effectiveness, use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs), and quality.
We evaluated 13 apps and 24 websites on the basis of our selection criteria. Considering the evidence-base, quality and BCT scores, four apps and six websites are recommended for use by older people who wish to engage in exercise independently in their own homes. No apps or websites have been to RCT evaluation at the time of review.
Apps and websites have the potential to provide a convenient, cost-effective, and accessible means for many older adults to engage in strength and balance training and reduce falls risk.
运动干预，特别是针对力量和平衡的干预，对预防老年人跌倒非常有效。活动水平通常低于推荐水平，并随着年龄的增长而降低。人们担心，在 COVID-19 大流行的背景下，运动水平可能会进一步降低。数字方法可能为老年人提供一种在自己家中独立进行力量和平衡锻炼的手段。本综述的目的是确定和评估现有的应用程序和网站，以支持老年人独立参与力量和平衡锻炼。
我们遵循 PRISMA 指南对应用程序和网站进行了快速审查。我们在 Android 和 iOS 应用商店中搜索可用的应用程序，并在开发中的应用程序数据库（MEDLINE 和 EMBASE）中进行搜索。我们使用谷歌搜索引擎搜索网站。根据有效性、行为改变技术（BCT）的使用和质量，对应用程序和网站进行了评估。
根据我们的选择标准，我们评估了 13 个应用程序和 24 个网站。考虑到证据基础、质量和 BCT 分数，有四个应用程序和六个网站推荐给希望在家中独立进行锻炼的老年人使用。在审查时，没有应用程序或网站经过 RCT 评估。
应用程序和网站有可能为许多老年人提供一种方便、具有成本效益和可及的方式，让他们进行力量和平衡训练，降低跌倒风险。
