RESUMO
Objectives: We aimed to 1) assess body composition using a portable technology, bioelectrical impedance analysis, (BIA) and 2) examine the associations between body composition and the discrepancy of fear of falling (FOF) and balance performance. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 121 older adults 60 years and older, 78% were female, 41% lived alone, and 71% had no history of falls. The discrepancy between fear of falling and balance performance was categorized into four groups. We found 47% rational (low FOF and normal balance), 19% incongruent (low FOF despite poor balance), 18% irrational (high FOF despite normal balance), and 16% congruent (high FOF and poor balance). Results: Body Fat Mass (BFM), Percent Body Fat (PBF), and Body Mass Index (BMI) were correlated with fear of falling and balance performance. BMI was significantly different in the rational group (p = 0.004) and incongruent group (p = 0.02) compared to the congruent group. PBF was significantly different between the incongruent (p = 0.002), irrational (p = 0.014), and rational (p < 0.001) groups, compared to the congruent group. Conclusions: The study found that body BFM, PBF, and BMI were correlated with fear of falling and balance impairment. High Body Mass Index and Body Fat Mass were associated with a discrepancy between FOF and balance. Body composition analysis devices, such as BIA and other portable technologies, could be taken to underserved communities and may help identify community-dwelling older adults who are frail and may be at high risk of falling.
RESUMO
Falls among older adults are preventable events and fall prevention programs led by nursing staff are promising and viable programs for preventing falls. This systematic review aimed to gain insight into the effects of nurse-led fall prevention programs for older adults. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analysis was used as a guideline in reporting this literature search conducted through CINAHL, MEDLINE, Eric, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice was used to determine the level of evidence and quality rating of the articles, while data extraction was done by a matrix review method. The review included six randomized controlled trials, two non-randomized controlled trials, and three quasi-experimental designs. Six studies directed their education component of the intervention on the nursing staff, while three focused on the older participants. Nurses' roles were patient assessment, patient education, administration of exercise programs, and follow-up post interventions. Fall rates and fall incidents were reduced in five studies, while three studies changed patients' behavior. Fall prevention programs with education components specific for older adults and nursing staff resulted in positive outcomes. Nursing staff make a significant contribution to improving patients' outcomes, and a fall prevention program that focuses on reducing injurious fall rates and enhancing participants' behavior could maximize its effects.
