Effect of a lifestyle-integrated functional exercise (LiFE) group intervention (sLiFE) to falls prevention in non-institutionalized older adults. Protocol of a randomised clinical trial

Front Public Health. 2024 Jan 8:11:1304982. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1304982. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Personalized programs of integrated strength and balance activities have been shown their effectiveness in falls reduction in the older adults.

Objective: To measure whether a group intervention with the strength and balance principles of the sLiFE program is more effective than standard health advice in reducing the incidence of falls.

Methods: The study will comprise 650 participants with more than 65 years who live at home, observing established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned in two groups: group intervention (n = 325) and standard health advice (n = 325). The intervention group will follow the balance and strength activities described in the LiFE program manual. The group intervention will be carried out in groups of 12-14 and will consist of seven one-hour sessions over 12 weeks in health centres. Incidence of falls and quality of life will be assessed as primary outcome variables. Fear of falling and exercise adherence will be analysed as secondary outcome variables.

Discussion: Physical activity has been put forward as an effective treatment technique for these patients; however, long-term adherence to these programs remains a challenge. Group interventions could reduce dropout rates.

Conclusion: Falls represent a major health problem globally due to the disability they cause in older people. Prevention would help reduce not only their incidence but also the health costs derived from their treatment. Group intervention helps clinicians to save resources and time, being able to attend more people with the same quality of care.

Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05912088?distance=50&term=NCT05912088&rank=1, identifier NCT05912088.

Keywords: balance; falls; older adults; physical activity; prevention.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial Protocol
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls* / prevention & control
  • Aged
  • Exercise
  • Fear
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Quality of Life*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05912088

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII). RD21/0016/0010 (Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS) is funded by the European Union-Next Generation EU, Facility for Recovery and Resilience (MRR). Government of Castilla y León also collaborated with the funding of this study through the research projects (GRS 2502/B/22). They played no role in the study design, data analysis, reporting results, nor the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.