The effectiveness of the fall prevention model among the elderly by multidisciplinary team at Bansadej Subdistrict Mueang District Lampang Province.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Thailand is an aging society. In 2022, the country had a total population of 66.8 million people, with 13 million elderly individuals, accounting for 19.5% of the total population. In 2022, 89,355 elderly people aged 60 and above were injured from falls and required hospitalization, and 1,255 elderly people died because of falls. These incidents also lead to psychological and social problems.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary fall prevention model for elderly people living in Ban Sadet Health Promoting Hospital, Mueang District, Lampang Province.

METHODS: This study is a quasi-experimental research of a two-group repeated measures design over 12 weeks. The study compares the mean scores of Thai Frat, TUGT, 4 Stage Balance Test, and fall history before and after the intervention between the experimental group and the control group. The sample consists of 82 elderly individuals who have been screened for fall risk, with 41 participants in the experimental group and 41 in the control group, by using block randomization. The research tools include 1) a general information questionnaire. 2) TUGT. 3) Thai-FRAT. 4) 4 Stage Balance Test. 5) Exercise program. 6) Pamphlets and video clips on the exercise program and environmental arrangement. 7)  Exercise tracking form. The tools were validated for content accuracy by 3 experts. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and dependent and independent t-tests.

RESUTS: After participating in a 12-week, the experimental group showed statistically different with before participating in the activity improvements in Thai-FRAT scores, TUGT test, and all 4 stages of the 4 Stage Balance Test. At the same time, the results in the control group did not show any statistical difference. The comparison of the mean difference between the 2 groups showed that the experimental group had better scores than the control group with statistically different (p<0.001), except for the 4th stage of the 4 Stage Balance Test (p=0.188).  

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The multidisciplinary fall prevention program for the elderly helped prevent falls and increases the readiness of elderly individuals to prevent falls. This program should be implemented in other areas to provide more benefits.