Effects of risk-based multifactorial fall prevention on postural balance in the community-dwelling aged: A randomized controlled trial

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of 12-month risk-based multifactorial fall prevention program on postural control of the aged. Five hundred and ninety-one (97%) eligible subjects were randomized into an intervention group (IG) (n = 293) and a control group (CG) (n = 298). The effects of the program were measured on standing, dynamic, and functional balance.In standing balance, the velocity moment of semi-tandem standing decreased in IG (median change −0.54 mm2/s) but increased in CG (+3.84 mm2/s) among all women (p = 0.011) and among the women aged 65–74 years (−1.65 mm2/s and +2.80 mm2/s, correspondingly) (p = 0.008). In a dynamic test, performance distance tended to decrease in IG (−26.54 mm) and increase in CG (+34.10 mm) among all women (p = 0.060). The women aged 75 years or over, showed marginally significant differences between the groups as regards changes in performance time (−2.66 s and −0.90 s) (p = 0.068) and distance (−92.32 mm and +76.46 mm) (p = 0.062) of the dynamic balance test in favor of IG. Men showed no significant differences in the changes between the groups in any balance measures.