Researchers at University of California San Diego have reported promising results from a study evaluating the university’s “Strong Foundations” program, a digitally delivered fall-prevention initiative for older adults. The findings emphasize the program’s effectiveness in improving posture, balance and strength — key factors in reducing fall risk.

The once weekly (60 minutes),12-week online program combines postural alignment, balance exercises and strength training. One of the novel features of the program is the delivery of semi-individualized instruction in real time within a small group setting. Semi-individualized instruction is attention given to an individual within the group course designed to correct exercise form.

The study included 92 participants ages 60 and older who were stratified by fall risk level using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) questionnaire. A total of 55 low-risk and 37 moderate-risk participants included.

Both low- and moderate-risk groups showed improvements in posture (up to 36% for measures like Occiput to Wall Distance — a measurement used to screen for excessive outward curvature of the spine); physical strength (as indicated by the Chair Stand — the movement of sitting down on a chair and then standing back up); and other metrics. Notably, older adults at moderate fall risk experienced the greatest gains, particularly in posture and physical strength.

“The improvements in posture alone are particularly noteworthy, given their strong correlation with fall risk and overall mobility,” said Ryan Moran, MD, MPH, associate clinical professor at the university.

The researchers suggest that future studies explore the possibility of deploying this intervention in populations that are of a lower overall socioeconomic status and more remote from the location of intervention deployment. Further, developing these materials into other languages in a culturally appropriate manner could expand the reach to other populations who would benefit from the opportunity to receive at-home fall-risk training.

To read the full study, published in JMIR Aging, click here