Logghe 2009.
| Study characteristics | ||
| Methods | RCT | |
| Participants | Setting: 2 industrial towns in the western Netherlands N = 269 Sample: registered with participating 23 general practices (71% women) Age (years): mean 77 (SD 4.6) Inclusion criteria: aged ≥ 70; community‐dwelling; high falls risk (1 or more falls in previous year or 2 or more risk factors for falling (disturbed balance, mobility problems, dizziness, using benzodiazepines or diuretics) Exclusion criteria: none described | |
| Interventions | 1. Tai Chi Chuan training (1 hour, 2 x per wk for 13 wks) + fall prevention brochure 2. Control: fall prevention brochure | |
| Outcomes | 1. Rate of falls 2. Number of people falling Other outcomes reported but not included in this review |
|
| Duration of the study | 1 year | |
| Notes | ||
| Risk of bias | ||
| Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: "An independent research assistant performed a prestratified block randomization using a computer‐generated randomization list" |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: "An independent research assistant performed a prestratified block randomization using a computer‐generated randomization list" |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes | High risk | Participants and/or intervention delivery personnel were not blind to group allocation, and the outcomes (falls and fractures) are likely to be influenced by lack of blinding |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) Falls and fallers | Low risk | Falls self reported but "The blinded research assistant contacted the participant when forms were missing or incomplete, and they then completed the forms together over the telephone" |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) Falls | Unclear risk | SeeAppendix 3 for method of assessment. Insufficient information to permit judgement. |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) Fallers | Low risk | SeeAppendix 3 for method of assessment |
| Risk of bias in recall of falls | Low risk | Quote: "At baseline, the participants received a falls calendar and the instruction to fill it out on a daily basis for 1 year ... The fall calendars were collected monthly by mail. The blinded research assistant contacted the participant when forms were missing or incomplete, and they then completed the forms together over the telephone" |