Engaging Older Adults in Fall Prevention Using Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Engaging Older Adults in Fall Prevention Using Motivational Interviewing (MI)

This mixed-methods, two-arm, randomized controlled trial will evaluate the impact of Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a follow-up care to patients who received fall prevention recommendations at Oregon Health & Science University Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Clinic provided over 12 months.

The goal of this mixed-methods, two-arm, randomized controlled trial of MI intervention for fall prevention is to evaluate the impact of Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a follow-up care to patients who received fall prevention recommendations at Oregon Health & Science University Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Clinic provided over 12-months. Older adult participants (older than 65) who are at increased risk for falling will be enrolled into the study. Patients will be randomly assigned to two groups: MI and the standard of care group. All participants will have a baseline and 6-months study visit that will include self-report and physiologic assessment. In addition, all participants will receive study measurement phone call at 3-, and 12-months. MI will be provided via video, phone, or in-person one week after the initial visit and then monthly for 6 months. All MI sessions will be recorded and encounter notes will be completed. Purposefully selected participants' MI sessions will be transcribed for qualitative analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Clinic patients
• 65 years old or older
• Moderate-to-high risk for falling using the STEADI fall screening and management algorithm
• Cognitively oriented (Mini-Cog≥ 3)
• Able to converse audibly and coherently in English
• Living independently in the community
• Able to receive study phone calls
• Ambulatory with or without assistive device use

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitively impaired patients (Mini-Cog< 2)
• Patients who have sensory difficulty with verbal communication (hard-of-hearing despite the use of hearing aids or speech is hard to understand despite a talking device)
• Living in institutions with 24-hour care such as skilled nursing facilities
• Unable to stand without assistance by others
• Life-expectancy of less than 3-months
• Patients participating in other studies that may impact fall-related behavior change