Tufts University Newsletter, April, 2013

A new review of more than 50 clinical trials, designed to update prevention recommendations for physicians, finds exercise and vitamin D supplements are the most effective ways to prevent falls in older adults. The report says exercise was associated with a 13% reduction in the risk of falling, while trials of vitamin D supplementation saw a 17% reduction in falls. The review will be used to update the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for strategies to prevent falls. “Our evidence review shows that exercise and vitamin D supplementation are the most effective primary care interventions to prevent falls,” says lead author Yvonne L. Michael, ScD, MS, of the Drexel University School of Public Health. “This is important news because falls are extremely common in this population and they are the leading cause of death and injury for the elderly. We need to help primary care clinicians find better ways to prevent falls, and this review will help to do that.” Michael and colleagues reviewed 54 randomized controlled trials-out of more than 4,000 studies that were screened-totaling 26,101 participants ages 65 and older. Of these, 18 studied exercise and physical therapy involving nearly 4,000 people. Some of the trials involved group exercise or Thai Chi classes; others involved individualized exercise instruction at home. Although a variety of exercises were studied, most were aimed at improving gait, balance, strength and flexibility needed to do everyday activities. The interventions ranged from six weeks to 12 months or longer and the evaluation periods lasted up to 18 months after the programs ended.