Fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults: A scoping review to identify effective evidence-based interventions

Mary O Whipple; Aimee V Hamel; Kristine M C Talley

doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.08.005

Fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults: A scoping review to identify effective evidence-based interventions

Geriatr Nurs. 2018 Mar-Apr;39(2):170-177. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.08.005. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

Authors

Mary O Whipple¹, Aimee V Hamel², Kristine M C Talley²

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 5-140 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. Electronic address: whipp042@umn.edu.
² School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 5-140 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.

Abstract

Fear of falling presents a significant problem for many older adults by reducing physical function and increasing the risk of future falls. Several different types of interventions have improved fear of falling and a summary of efficacious interventions will help clinicians recommend treatment options. Using the Arksey and O'Malley Framework for scoping reviews, the purpose of this review was to identify efficacious interventions for treating fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults in order to provide a list of potential treatment options for care providers. A total of 45 publications were identified for inclusion in this review.

Keywords: Falls; Fear of falling; Older adults; Scoping review.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Accidental Falls / prevention & control*
Aging / psychology
Evidence-Based Practice*
Exercise
Fear / psychology*
Humans
Independent Living*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Grants and funding

F31 NR016614/NR/NINR NIH HHS/United States