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Acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of WE-SURF TM: a virtual supervised group-based fall prevention exercise program among older adults
Ing JBM, Tan MP, Whitney J, Tiong IK, Singh DKA
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 2024 Jun 5;36(125):Epub
clinical trial
7/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: Yes; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

Conducted physically, supervised group-based falls prevention exercise programs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the risk of falls among older adults. In this study, we aimed to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of a virtual supervised group-based falls prevention exercise program (WE-SURF TM) for community-dwelling older adults at risk of falls. METHOD: A preliminary study utilizing virtual discussions was conducted to assess the acceptability of the program among six older adults. Effectiveness was evaluated in a randomized controlled feasibility study design, comprising 52 participants (mean age 66.54; SD 5.16), divided into experimental (n = 26) and control (n = 26) groups. The experimental group engaged in a 6-month WE-SURF TM program, while the control group received standard care along with a fall's prevention education session. Feasibility of the intervention was measured using attendance records, engagement rates from recorded videos, dropouts, attrition reasons, and adverse events. RESULTS: Preliminary findings suggested that WE-SURF TM was acceptable, with further refinements. The study revealed significant intervention effects on timed up and go (TUG) (eta2p = 0.08; p < 0.05), single leg stance (SLS) (eta2p = 0.10; p < 0.05), and lower limb muscle strength (eta2p = 0.09; p < 0.05) tests. No adverse events occurred during the program sessions, and both attendance and engagement rates were high (> 80% and 8/10, respectively) with minimal dropouts (4%). The WE-SURF TM program demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the risk of falls while enhancing muscle strength and balance. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, WE-SURF TM was demonstrated to be an acceptable, feasible, and effective virtual supervised group-based exercise program for fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults at risk of falls. With positive outcomes and favourable participant engagement, WE-SURF TM holds the potential for wider implementation. Further research and scaling-up efforts are recommended to explore its broader applicability. (Registration number: ACTRN 12621001620819).

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