A1 Journal article (refereed)
Effects of Physical and Cognitive Training on Falls and Concern about Falling in Older Adults : Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial (2022)

Turunen, K. M., Tirkkonen, A., Savikangas, T., Hänninen, T., Alen, M., Fielding, R. A., Kivipelto, M., Stigsdotter, N. A., Törmäkangas, T., & Sipilä, S. (2022). Effects of Physical and Cognitive Training on Falls and Concern about Falling in Older Adults : Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 77(7), 1430-1437. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glab375

JYU authors or editors

Turunen, Katri
Tirkkonen, Anna-Katriina
Savikangas, Tiina
Törmäkangas, Timo
Sipilä, Sarianna

Publication details

All authors or editors: Turunen, Katri M; Tirkkonen, Anna; Savikangas, Tiina; Hänninen, Tuomo; Alen, Markku; Fielding, Roger A; Kivipelto, Miia; Stigsdotter, Neely Anna; Törmäkangas, Timo; Sipilä, Sarianna

Journal or series: Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences

ISSN: 1079-5006

eISSN: 1758-535X

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 15/12/2021

Volume: 77

Issue number: 7

Pages range: 1430-1437

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glab375

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79118

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study is to investigate whether combined cognitive and physical training provides additional benefits to fall prevention when compared with physical training alone in older adults.

Methods
This is a prespecified secondary analysis of a single-blind, randomized controlled trial involving community‐dwelling men and women aged 70 to 85 years who did not meet the physical activity guidelines. The participants were randomized into combined physical and cognitive training (PTCT, n=155) and physical training (PT, n=159) groups. PT included supervised and home-based physical exercises following the physical activity recommendations. PTCT included PT and computer-based cognitive training. The outcome was the rate of falls over the 12-month intervention (PTCT, n=151 and PT, n=155) and 12-month postintervention follow-up (PTCT, n=143 and PT, n=148). Falls were ascertained from monthly diaries. Exploratory outcomes included the rate of injurious falls, faller/recurrent faller/fall-related fracture status, and concern about falling.

Results
Estimated incidence rates of falls per person-year were 0.8 (95% CI 0.7–1.1) in the PTCT and 1.1 (95% CI 0.9–1.3) in the PT during the intervention and 0.8 (95% CI 0.7–1.0) versus 1.0 (95% CI 0.8–1.1), respectively, during the postintervention follow-up. There was no significant difference in the rate of falls during the intervention (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.78; 95% CI 0.56–1.10, p=0.152) or in the follow-up (IRR=0.83; 95% CI 0.59–1.15, p=0.263). No significant between-group differences were observed in any exploratory outcomes.

Conclusion
A yearlong PTCT intervention did not result in a significantly lower rate of falls or concern about falling than PT alone in older community‐dwelling adults.

Keywords: older people; falling over; exercises; exercise (people); executive functions (psychology); intervention study; follow-up study