Steady Feet: Preventing Falls in the Community

Steady Feet Falls Prevention Programme for Community-dwelling Older Adults at Risk for Falls in Singapore: A Feasibility Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of Steady Feet, a three-month community-based falls prevention exercise program.

Participants aged 60 or older, at high risk of falls, with Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores between 7 and 11, and without significant cognitive or vision impairment, were recruited for a non-randomized, two-arm study. They were evaluated at baseline and the third month. The intervention group (IG) underwent Steady Feet and CGH's standard care for fall prevention, while the control group (CG) received CGH's standard care for fall prevention. Feasibility was assessed across Bowen's domains, including acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, adaptation, and limited efficacy. Measurements included SPPB, Timed Up and Go, the 6-minute walk test, the Four-Square Step Test, the CONFbal scale, and a satisfaction survey administered to IG participants. Between-groups statistical analyses will be performed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 60 years and above
• At high risk of falls according to the FROP-COM
• Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score of 7 to 11
• Able to ambulate without wheelchairs or walkers
• Able to understand basic instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Possess significant cognitive impairment (Abbreviated Mental Test < 5)
• Had visual impairment, as determined by not passing at least 2 out of 3 Vision Function Test(s) (Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMar) vision, Stereoscopic vision, and Melbourne Edge Test (MET)