The Impact of Transitioning to Virtual Fall-Prevention Programs on Falls and Social Connectedness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

IF 1.5 4区医学 Q4 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity Pub Date : 2026-03-23 DOI:10.1123/japa.2024-0211

Allison Moser Mays, Tam Au, Sungjin Kim, Nathalie Guevara, Sonja L Rosen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background/objectives: Older adults participating in Falls Prevention Evidence-Based Programs experience a decrease in falls, loneliness, and social isolation, but virtual implementation may alter the program's reach and effectiveness.

Methods: We examined the comparative effectiveness of in-person versus virtual fall-prevention evidence-based programs using a nonrandomized study design. Community-dwelling older adults (age ≥ 50) completed surveys on falls (OMB 0985-0039), loneliness (UCLA three-item scale), and social isolation (Duke Social Support Index) at baseline, 6 weeks, and 6 months. Changes in individual outcomes over time were analyzed using a generalized additive model.

Results: In-person (n = 382) and virtual participants (n = 214) did not differ by age (76.6 vs. 76.5 years) or gender (83.4% vs. 82.5% women). Virtual programs had fewer non-Hispanic Black participants (8.2% vs. 43.5%, P < .001), more non-Hispanic white participants (70.4% vs. 42%, P < .001), and more with income >$30,000 (P = .012). In-person participants' Duke Social Support Index scores improved at 6 weeks (Estimate 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.19, 0.82], P = .011) and 6 months (Estimate 0.67, 95% CI [0.30, 1.05], P = .003); loneliness improved at 6 months (Estimate 0.94, 95% CI [0.90, 0.97], P = .003). Virtual participants reported no change in Duke Social Support Index scores or in loneliness. At 6 months, virtual participants reported a 43.9% reduction in falls per month compared with baseline (Estimated Ratio 0.561, 95% CI [0.541, 0.582], P < .001); in-person participants reported no change in falls.

Conclusions: Virtual implementation of fall-prevention programs results in participant-reported reductions in falls but no change in loneliness or social isolation. Significance/Implications: Virtual falls evidence-based programs should make efforts to foster connectedness and reach low-income and racially diverse communities.

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过渡到虚拟跌倒预防计划对社区居住老年人跌倒和社会联系的影响。

背景/目的：参加以证据为基础的预防跌倒项目的老年人在跌倒、孤独和社会隔离方面有所减少，但虚拟实施可能会改变项目的范围和有效性。方法：我们采用非随机研究设计检验了面对面与虚拟跌倒预防循证项目的比较有效性。社区居住的老年人（年龄≥50岁）在基线、6周和6个月时完成了跌倒（OMB 0985-0039）、孤独感（UCLA三项量表）和社会隔离（杜克社会支持指数）的调查。使用广义加性模型分析个体结果随时间的变化。结果：现场（n = 382）和虚拟参与者（n = 214）在年龄（76.6对76.5岁）或性别（83.4%对82.5%的女性）方面没有差异。虚拟课程的非西班牙裔黑人参与者较少（8.2% vs. 43.5%, P < 0.001），非西班牙裔白人参与者较多（70.4% vs. 42%, P < 0.001），收入在3万美元以下的参与者较多（P = 0.012）。面对面参与者的杜克社会支持指数得分在6周（估计0.50,95%可信区间[CI] [0.19, 0.82], P = 0.011）和6个月（估计0.67,95% CI [0.30, 1.05], P = 0.003）时有所改善；孤独感在6个月时改善（估计0.94,95% CI [0.90, 0.97], P = 0.003）。虚拟参与者报告说，杜克社会支持指数得分和孤独感没有变化。在6个月时，虚拟参与者报告与基线相比每月跌倒减少43.9%（估计比0.561,95% CI [0.541, 0.582], P < .001）；现场参与者报告摔倒的情况没有变化。结论：预防跌倒项目的虚拟实施导致参与者报告的跌倒减少，但孤独感或社会隔离没有改变。意义/启示：基于证据的虚拟瀑布项目应努力促进连通性，并覆盖低收入和种族多样化的社区。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 医学-老年医学

CiteScore

2.60

自引率

6.70%

发文量

105

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Aging and Physical Activity (JAPA) is a multidisciplinary journal that publishes peer-reviewed original research reports, scholarly reviews, and professional-application articles on the relationship between physical activity and the aging process. The journal encourages the submission of articles that can contribute to an understanding of (a) the impact of physical activity on physiological, psychological, and social aspects of older adults and (b) the effect of advancing age or the aging process on physical activity among older adults. In addition to publishing research reports and reviews, JAPA publishes articles that examine the development, implementation, and evaluation of physical activity programs among older adults. Articles from the biological, behavioral, and social sciences, as well as from fields such as medicine, clinical psychology, physical and recreational therapy, health, physical education, and recreation, are appropriate for the journal. Studies using animal models do not fit within our mission statement and should be submitted elsewhere.