Kulkarni Ashwini
School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
Geriatrics (Basel). 2025 May 20;10(3):68. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics10030068.
: Falls are a leading cause of morbidity in older adults, particularly those with multiple comorbidities. A multidisciplinary approach addressing physical, psychological, and environmental factors is essential for reducing fall risk and supporting aging in place. This report evaluates the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary, multifactorial approach in managing high fall risk in an older adult with diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis. : A 72-year-old woman with a recurrent history of falls participated in an 8-week intervention as part of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) balance and falls prevention credential program. This study was conducted in Virginia Beach, USA, at the participant's residence. A single-subject design investigation was conducted, measuring outcomes including the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), gait speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG), fear of falling, and balance confidence at baseline and post-intervention. The participant had impaired baseline values across various variables and was classified as a recurrent high-risk faller. After 8 weeks of intervention, clinically meaningful improvements with large effect sizes were observed: self-selected gait speed improved by 25%, BESTest scores improved by 50%, Falls Efficacy-International (FES I) scores improved by 26%, and Activity Balance Confidence (ABC) scores improved by 26%. No falls or adverse events occurred during the intervention period, and the patient reported enhanced mobility and safety at home. : A tailored multidisciplinary approach effectively addressed the physical, psychological, and environmental factors contributing to high fall risk. This highlights the importance of patient-centered interventions in managing fall risk and promoting safe aging in place. Continued education, environmental adaptations, and regular follow-up are essential for long-term fall prevention.
跌倒 是老年人发病的主要原因，尤其是那些患有多种合并症的老年人。采用多学科方法解决身体、心理和环境因素对于降低跌倒风险和支持原地养老至关重要。本报告评估了一种多学科、多因素方法在管理一名患有糖尿病、高血压和骨质疏松症的老年高危跌倒患者中的有效性。
一名有跌倒复发史的72岁女性参加了一项为期8周的干预，该干预是美国物理治疗协会（APTA）平衡与跌倒预防认证项目的一部分。本研究在美国弗吉尼亚海滩的参与者住所进行。进行了一项单病例设计调查，测量了包括平衡评估系统测试（BESTest）、步速、计时起立行走测试（TUG）、跌倒恐惧以及基线和干预后平衡信心等结果。该参与者在各个变量上的基线值均受损，被归类为复发性高危跌倒者。经过8周的干预，观察到具有临床意义的显著改善：自选步速提高了25%，BESTest评分提高了50%，国际跌倒效能量表（FES I）评分提高了26%，活动平衡信心（ABC）评分提高了26%。干预期间未发生跌倒或不良事件，患者报告在家中的行动能力和安全性有所提高。
一种量身定制的多学科方法有效地解决了导致高危跌倒风险的身体、心理和环境因素。这凸显了以患者为中心的干预措施在管理跌倒风险和促进安全原地养老方面的重要性。持续教育、环境改造和定期随访对于长期预防跌倒至关重要。
