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A systematic review and meta‐analysis of exercise‐based falls prevention strategies in adults aged 50+ years with visual impairment
Author(s) -
Dillon Lisa,
Clemson Lindy,
Ramulu Pradeep,
Sherrington Catherine,
Keay Lisa
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/opo.12562
Subject(s) - cinahl , visual impairment , medicine , meta analysis , physical therapy , falls in older adults , randomized controlled trial , medline , poison control , systematic review , injury prevention , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychological intervention , psychiatry , emergency medicine , political science , law
Abstract Purpose To determine the impact of exercise or physical training on falls or physical function in people aged 50+ years with visual impairment, compared with control (no intervention or usual care). Methods An updated systematic review of randomised controlled trials, investigating the effect of exercise or physical activity on falls prevention or physical function in adults aged 50+ with visual impairment. Searches of CINAHL , the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials ( CENTRAL ), Embase, and Medline were undertaken. Three trials were identified for the period February 2013 to July 2017 and added to the four in the original review. Results New trials evaluated yoga, the Otago Exercise Programme in combination with a home safety programme and the Alexander Technique. Meta‐analysis of data from two trials ( n = 163) indicated a non‐statistically significant positive impact of exercise on the Chair Stand Test ( WMD −1.85 s, 95% CI −4.65 to 0.96, p = 0.20, I 2 22%). In this update, two new trials measured falls so meta‐analysis was possible for three trials ( n = 539) and revealed no impact on falls ( RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.50, p = 0.81, I 2 30%). Discussion Although exercise or physical training can improve physical function in older adults with visual impairment, and diverse strategies are being evaluated, there are no proven falls prevention strategies. In the few studies available, falls are not consistently reported and more work is required to investigate falls prevention in older adults with visual impairment.