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Preventing disability and falls in older adults : a population-based randomized trial . OBJECTIVES Because preventing disability and falls in older adults is a national priority , a randomized controlled trial was conducted to test a multicomponent intervention program . METHODS From a random sample of health maintenance organization ( HMO ) enrollees 65 years and older , 1559 ambulatory seniors were randomized to one of three groups : a nurse assessment visit and follow-up interventions targeting risk factors for disability and falls ( group 1 , n = 635 ) ; a general health promotion nurse visit ( group 2 , n = 317 ) ; and usual care ( group 3 , n = 607 ) . Data collection consisted of a baseline and two annual follow-up surveys . RESULTS After 1 year , group 1 subjects reported a significantly lower incidence of declining functional status and a significantly lower incidence of falls than group 3 subjects . Group 2 subjects had intermediate levels of most outcomes . After 2 years of follow-up , the differences narrowed . CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that a modest , one-time prevention program appeared to confer short-term health benefits on ambulatory HMO enrollees , although benefits diminished by the second year of follow-up . The mechanisms by which the intervention may have improved outcomes require further investigation .
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Intervention_Educational
a nurse assessment visit and follow-up interventions targeting risk factors for disability and falls
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Intervention_Educational
general health promotion nurse visit
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Intervention_Control
usual care
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Outcome_Physical
disability and falls in older adults
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Outcome_Physical
disability and falls in older adults
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Outcome_Physical
incidence of declining functional status
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Outcome_Physical
incidence of falls
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Outcome_Other
short-term health benefits
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Outcome_Other
benefits diminished
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Participant_Age
older adults
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Participant_Sample-size
1559
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Participant_Condition
ambulatory HMO enrollees