A one-year proprioceptive exercise programme reduces the incidence of falls in community-dwelling elderly people: A before-after non-randomised inter…

2016

Abstract Background The risk of falls increases with age. Balance alteration and polypharmacy are independent contributors to an increased risk of falls. Objective The primary aim was to assess whether a proprioceptive exercise programme reduces the incidence of falls. A secondary aim was to assess the association between drugs and falls. Design This was a before–after non-randomised intervention study. Participants The study recruited independent and cognitively intact community-dwelling people aged over 69 years, from December 2012 to May 2014. Methods The intervention was done by a nurse and consisted of a monthly supervised group session of proprioceptive training for 1 year, supplement…