Characteristics and Effects of Fall Prevention Interventions among the Korean Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose: This systematic review aimed (a) to review the characteristics (types, elements, materials, who provided, where, modes of delivery, and intensity) of the fall prevention interventions adopted in studies of the Korean older adults (b) to review their effects by intervention characteristics and measures.Methods: The data were searched from RISS, Pubmed, CHINAL, EMBASE with key words of ‘aged’, ‘Korean’, ‘accidental falls’. The Joanna Briggs Institute was used to assess methodological quality. Data were extracted for sample nature, the type, element, material, delivery, and intensity of the intervention, measures, and findings.Results: A total of fifty nine studies were selected for this review. Most studies were conducted with only female older adults (66.1%) and small sample (less than 30 subjects) ( 93.2%). Exercise was the most frequently evaluated intervention type, with a small number of studies including education. Face-to-face (group) was the most frequently evaluated intervention delivery mode; only a small number of studies evaluated non face-to-face intervention. 12 weeks, 3 times a week, and 60 minutes per session were the most frequently evaluated intervention intensity. An exercise intervention was effective in balance and muscle strength. Fall prevention interventions face-to-face (group), delivered at least for 8 weeks, 3 times a week, and 40 minutes per day may be more effective.Conclusion: This review showed the current status of fall prevention intervention for the Korean older adults. As the literature indicated the exercise can be useful intervention but there need additional evidence from rigorously designed study to determine the effective form of intervention.