Original Article

Comprehensive approach for community-based integrated care reduces risk of falls after fracture

Eiko Takano^1,2, Keita Aimoto¹, Masanori Tanimoto¹, Toshio Teranishi², Naoki Itoh¹, Kenji Toba¹, Izumi Kondo¹

1. National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
2. Graduate School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan

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Keywords: Prevention of falls, Balance ability, Sub-acute ward, Rehabilitation

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Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether the risk of falls could be reduced among patients in our ward using the standing test for imbalance and disequilibrium (SIDE). Methods: The study participants were 97 inpatients (24 men, 73 women; mean age, 81.9±9.0 years) who had been diagnosed with spinal compression or hip or other fractures in a ward for community-based integrated care in Japan. The participants took part in six daily 40-min rehabilitation training sessions per week. We investigated patient data obtained from medical records, including duration of stay in the ward, discharge destination, and SIDE level at admission and discharge. We compared indices at admission and discharge using Fisher’s exact test (P<0.05). Results: The mean duration of stay was 38.5±15.9 days, and 83.5% of the patients were discharged home. Significant increases in SIDE levels were observed at discharge compared with admission (P<0.001). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that exercises in the ward reduce the risk of falls.

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