Effects of a care prevention course on health-related QOL and motor function according to history of falls

Abstract

Purpose: We conducted a care prevention course for potentially dependent elderly and investigated its effect on their health-related QOL and motor function. Subjects: The subjects were 45 potentially dependent elderly persons (11 men, 34 women) who enrolled for the care prevention course. Methods: The care prevention course lasted 3 months and was conducted once a week for 12 weeks. Each session lasted 2 hours and consisted of a lecture, stretching, muscle strength training and whole body exercise. The assessments used were motor function and the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: At pre-intervention, no significant differences were found in motor function or the SF-36 score between those with and without a history of falls. Significant improvements in motor function of both groups were found post-intervention, and a significant improvement in the SF-36 score was found post-intervention for the group without a history of falls, but not for the group with a history of falls. Conclusion: We consider that the lack of improvement in health-related QOL in the group with a history of falls was due to the psychological impact of the falls. Thus, we consider that care prevention interventions for the elderly with a history of falls need to address not only motor function, but also psychological aspects.