Open AccessToe Clearance Rehabilitative Slippers for Older Adults With Fall Risk: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Atsuko Satoh,
Yukoh Kudoh,
Sangun Lee,
Masumi Saitoh,
Miwa Miura,
Yuka Ohnuma,
Naoki Fukushi,
Ono Aya,
Hidetada Sasaki
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
geriatric orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2151-4593
pISSN - 2151-4585
DOI - 10.1177/21514593211029102
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , berg balance scale , physical therapy , medicine , rehabilitation , tinetti test , poison control , intervention (counseling) , balance (ability) , injury prevention , physical medicine and rehabilitation , nursing , surgery , emergency medicine
To evaluate fall-prevention rehabilitative slippers for use by self-caring, independent older adults.Materials and Methods: This assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled 1-year study included 59 self-caring, independent participants (49 women) who attended day services. The mean age of participants was 84.0 ± 5.3 years. Participants were randomly selected from 8 nursing homes. We tested slippers top-weighted with a lead bead (200, 300, or 400 g). Intervention group participants walked while wearing the slippers for 10-20 min, 1-3 days/week at the day service center. Fall risk was measured using the Berg Balance Scale and the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) before and at 3-month intervals after the intervention/control phase.Results: After 12 months, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvement. Berg Balance and POMA compared to the control group ( p < .05 p < .01, respectively). Mobility scores improved significantly for both measurements in the intervention group before and after ( p < .01), but the control group had significantly lower scores.Discussion: Overall, falls decreased in the intervention group from 10 to 7, and control group falls increased from 9 to 16 ( p = .02). No adverse events related to the intervention were reported.Conclusions: Rehabilitation training slippers may reduce falls in older adults.