The impact of a home-based walking programme on falls in older people: the Easy Steps randomised controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a 48-week walking program could reduce falls in older people and improve secondary outcomes like quality of life and physical activity levels.
Results Summary
The study found no significant difference in fall rates between the walking intervention and control groups, but the intervention group increased their exercise and walking time significantly.
Population
Physically inactive community-dwelling adults aged 65+ years.
Effective Dosage
Self-paced walking program with three mailed manuals and telephone coaching (specific frequency not detailed).
Duration
48 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
48-week walking programme | no change | fall rates | physically inactive people aged 65+ years living in the community | IRR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.60-1.29 | no difference | #1 |
48-week walking programme | increase | time exercising in general | intervention group participants | median 1.69 versus 0.75 h/week, P < 0.001 | significantly more time exercising | #2 |
48-week walking programme | increase | walking for exercise | intervention group participants | median 1.69 versus 0.75 h/week, P < 0.001 | significantly more time | #3 |
walking programme | no change | falls | older people | - | ineffective in preventing | #4 |
Walking | increase | physical activity levels | previously inactive older people | - | increases | #5 |
BACKGROUND: walking is the most popular form of exercise in older people but the impact of walking on falls is unclear. This study investigated the impact of a 48-week walking programme on falls in older people. METHODS: three hundred and eighty-six physically inactive people aged 65+ years living in the community were randomised into an intervention or control group. The intervention group received a self-paced, 48-week walking programme that involved three mailed printed manuals and telephone coaching. Coinciding with the walking programme manual control group participants received health information unrelated to falls. Monthly falls calendars were used to monitor falls (primary outcome) over 48 weeks. Secondary outcomes were self-reported quality of life, falls efficacy, exercise and walking levels. Mobility, leg strength and choice stepping reaction time were measured in a sub-sample (n = 178) of participants. RESULTS: there was no difference in fall rates between the intervention and control groups in the follow-up period (IRR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.60-1.29). By the end of the study, intervention group participants spent significantly more time exercising in general, and specifically walking for exercise (median 1.69 versus 0.75 h/week, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: our finding that a walking programme is ineffective in preventing falls supports previous research and questions the suitability of recommending walking as a fall prevention strategy for older people. Walking, however, increases physical activity levels in previously inactive older people.