Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Podiatry Intervention to Prevent Falls in Community-Dwelling Older People with Disabling Foot Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial

摘要

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at the University of Health Sciences Clinic in Australia. It involved 305 community-dwelling adults aged 65 to 93 years, who had disabling foot pain and an increased risk of falling. The intervention group (n = 153) were provided with foot orthoses, advice and provision of footwear, a home-based foot and ankle exercise program and education in falls prevention, alone with routine podiatric care. The control group (n = 152) received routine podiatric care alone. Primary outcomes (proportion of fallers, multiple fallers, falling rate) and secondary outcomes (strength and range of motion, balance, functional ability, total physiological profile assessment falls risk score pain, and function subscases of the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index short falls efficacy scale international and the mental and physical component summary scores of the short form health survey) were assessed in 12 and six months respectively, after baseline assessment. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS and Stata statistical software.