Comparing the effects of different exercises on falls in older adults: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Lu Zhou, Haiyan Huang, Caixia Wang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This network meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of various exercise interventions on fall-related outcomes in 16,240 older adults. It found that multicomponent exercise and mind-body exercise significantly reduced the number of fallers compared to usual care, with odds ratios of 0.78 and 0.62, respectively. Additionally, mind-body exercise was associated with fewer recurrent fallers (OR = 0.57).
Key findings
- Multicomponent exercise reduced the number of fallers (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.91).
- Mind-body exercise significantly decreased the number of fallers (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.85).
- Mind-body exercise was linked to fewer recurrent fallers (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.85).
- Balance training may reduce the risk of fall-related injuries (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.96).
Why it matters
Falls in older adults can lead to serious health complications and increased mortality. Understanding which exercise modalities are most effective in reducing falls can help clinicians design better prevention strategies and improve patient outcomes.
What to keep in mind
The certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to very low across outcomes, indicating a need for caution in interpretation.