Effect of Physiotherapy in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department After a Fall

Effect of Physiotherapy in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department After a Fall. A Brief Intervention Focusing on Patient Reported Outcomes

The aim of this monocentric, block-randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel-group study is to assess whether patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a fall within the past 7 days would benefit from a physiotherapy intervention, as compared to patients without physiotherapy intervention at the time of ED presentation. Primary objective of this study is to assess "fear of falling" 7 days after ED presentation with versus without a physiotherapy intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent
• Age ≥65
• History of falls within the last 7 days
• Presentation to the ED of the University Hospital Basel

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inpatient disposition after ED work-up
• Immobilizing fractures of the lower extremities
• Inability or contraindications to undergo the investigated intervention or follow the study procedures, e.g. due to certain neurological disorders (such as parkinsonism, hemiplegia, severe multiple sclerosis), language problems, psychological disorders, cognitive impairment
• Prior enrolment in this trial