Assessment of Fall Risk in the Elderly and Appropriate Preventive Rehabilitation: A Prospective Pre–Post Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the fall risk amongst the elderly and to assess the effect of preventive rehabilitation. Study Design: This was a prospective pre–post study. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients attending the outpatient department were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Timed up and go (TUG) test and functional reach test (FRT) and modified FRT were done to identify the risk groups. Appropriate preventive rehabilitation measures such as strengthening and balance exercises, footwear modifications and assistive aids along with treatment of the disease for which they approached the clinic were done. The study population was assessed after 2 weeks for fall risk using the same TUG and FRT. Results: A statistically significant reduction in fall risk was seen after appropriate rehabilitative strategies. Fall risk can be detected early by simple clinical tools such as TUG test and FRT. Conclusion: Simple clinical tools such as TUG test and FRT can be used for the early identification of fall risk amongst the elderly. This study establishes that a comprehensive preventive rehabilitation to the geriatric community with risk of fall can reduce the “fall risk” in the future and can also improve their functioning.

Keywords

• fall risk
• functional reach test
• preventive rehabilitation
• timed up and go test