Multicomponent exercise intervention for preventing falls and improving physical functioning in older adult nursing home residents: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Abstract

Background: Falls are a global problem for older people, as they are among the main reasons for injury and death in this population. Falls incidence is about three times higher among older adults in long-term care facilities than in the community. Globally in the recent decades we witnessed advances in medicine and public health, and that the older population is leading an active and a healthier lifestyle. Yet, ageing is still associated with diminished functional ability, reduced mobility, limited independency, as well as falls. Among the risk factors of these are loss of muscle mass, function, and strength (sarcopenia and dynapenia), in addition to balance and cognitive impairments. Fortunately, these risk factors are modifiable and preventable through exercises. Thus, we aim to evaluate the effect of a multicomponent exercise programme on the number of falls and physical function in nursing homes residents aged 65 years and over. Additionally, we aim to investigate potential risk factors of falls.

Methods: A single-blind, parallel randomized controlled trial of 12 weeks will be conducted. Older people aged 65 years and over, will be recruited from nursing homes. Participants will be randomised to either intervention group or control group through stratified randomization, based on age, gender, and baseline values of Short Physical Performance Battery using a random generator, then baseline assessments will be performed to avoid a long interval between participant assessment and the beginning of the interventions. Primary outcome will be number of all falls during the intervention. Secondary outcomes will include Short Physical Performance Battery, Six-minute Walking Test, Timed Up and Go Test, Single Leg Stance Test, and Functional Reach Test. Within groups differences will be analysed using either paired sample t-test, or Wilcoxon test. Poisson Regression to predict number of falls based on baseline data.

Discussion: This trial will address the inconsistence and inconclusive evidence about the effect of multicomponent exercise programme on falls in long-term care facility older residents and will investigate the gap in evidence of the effects of exercise at moderate intensity on the residents.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05835297, registered on 28 April 2023.