Haines 2009.
| Study characteristics | ||
| Methods | RCT | |
| Participants | Setting: Brisbane, Australia N = 53 Sample: patients in geriatric rehabilitation, medical, or surgical units in Princess Alexandra Hospital (60% women) Age (years): mean 80.7 (SD 7.7) Inclusion criteria: aged > 65 years; gait instability or walking with a mobility aid; discharged from hospital to a community‐dwelling Exclusion criteria: unstable severe cardiac disease; cognitive impairment; aggressive behaviour; restricted weight‐bearing status; referred for post‐discharge community rehabilitation services | |
| Interventions | 1. 'Kitchen Table Exercise Program': DVD and workbook. Progressive lower limb strength and balance exercises, 3 to 7 x per wk. DVD player provided if required. At least 1 home visit from project PT, then telephone contact weekly for 8 wks from first home visit, then 18 wks without active encouragement 2. Control: no exercise intervention | |
| Outcomes | 1. Rate of falls
2. Number of people falling
3. Number sustaining a fracture Other outcomes reported but not included in this review |
|
| Duration of the study | 6 months | |
| Notes | ||
| Risk of bias | ||
| Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: "The random allocation sequence was generated by an investigator (TH) using a computerized random number generator." |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: "This sequence was entered into sealed, consecutively numbered, opaque envelopes. Each envelope corresponding to the participants study number (allocated in the order in which participants consented to participate in the study) was opened following completion of the baseline assessment. The envelopes containing the allocation sequence were secured within a locked office." |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes | High risk | Participants and personnel not blind to intervention, and falls were self reported |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) Falls and fallers | Low risk | Quote: "All participants received monthly follow‐up phone calls from the blinded outcome assessor." |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) Fractures | High risk | The only evidence for fractures was from self reports from participants |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) Falls | Unclear risk | SeeAppendix 3 for method of assessment |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) Fallers | Low risk | SeeAppendix 3 for method of assessment |
| Risk of bias in recall of falls | Low risk | Quote: "Participants in both group were provided with a log for recording falls and details surrounding them." "All participants received monthly follow‐up phone calls from the blinded outcome assessor." |