Background Falls are one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in older adults. However, despite adoption of prevention strategies, the number of falls in older adults has not declined. The aim of this study was to examine fall awareness behaviour and its associated factors among Malaysian community dwelling older adults. Methods A total of 144 community dwelling older adults (mean age of 70.69 ± 4.3 years) participated in this study. Physical performance were assessed using timed up and go (TUG), gait speed (GS), chair stand and hand grip tests. Fall Awareness Behaviour (FaB) and Fall Risk Assessment Questionnaires (FRAQ) were administered to assess behaviour and fall prevention knowledge respectively. Results Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the practice of fall awareness behaviour (R2 = 0.256) was significantly associated with being male [95% C.I: 2.178 to 7.789, p < 0.001], having lower BMI [95% C.I: − 0.692 to − 0.135, p < 0.05], living with family [95% C.I: 0.022 to 5.953, p < 0.05] and those having higher functional mobility [95% C.I: − 2.008 to − 0.164, p < 0.05]. Conclusions Fall awareness behaviour should be emphasized among older females, those with lower functional mobility, higher BMI and living alone.

In this systematic review, we aim to synthesize published evidence on the effects of exercise in improving postural stability among older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). A systematic electronic literature search was undertaken in Pedro, Cochrane, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Science direct and Clinical trial databases involving human participants published from year 2000–2022. This search was updated in June 2022. The studies chosen were based on predetermined criteria. Data relating to the contents and parameters of exercise in persons with AD were gathered and analyzed. A total of 8 experimental studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the selected studies were of a medium quality. In these studies, information and physical exercises were used to improve postural stability in older adults with AD. The findings of the review suggest that performing combined strength, balance and executive function training can improve postural stability. However, we are unable to conclude the specific dose for specific type of exercise. More high-quality studies are required pertaining to exercise prescription for older adults with AD. Mostly, information and physical exercise were delivered via face-to-face sessions conducted by health professionals. The structure of exercises summarized in this review may be beneficial for older adults with AD to improve postural stability and as a result reduce falls.

Realiti Virtual Berasaskan Terapi (RVBT) semakin popular dan giat digunakan dalam perkhidmatan rehabilitasi. Namun, bukti keberkesanan RVBT dalam kalangan penghidap Osteoarthritis (OA) lutut pada masa ini masih terhad. Kajian ini bertujuan menentukan kesan RVBT berbanding terapi senaman konvensional ke atas ketahanan berjalan dan kualiti hidup warga emas yang menghidap OA lutut. Kajian rawak terkawal ini melibatkan 44 peserta (min umur dan sisihan piawai = 66.32 ± 5.73 tahun) yang menerima RVBT (kumpulan kajian, n = 22) atau terapi senaman konvensional (kumpulan kawalan, n = 22) selama 45 minit pada kekerapan dua kali seminggu selama 12 minggu. Kesan terapi ke atas ketahanan berjalan diukur menggunakan ujian Berjalan Enam Minit (BEM), manakala perubahan kualiti hidup dinilai menggunakan soal selidik Short Form-36 (SF-36) versi Bahasa Malaysia. Analisis hasil kajian adalah secara pendekatan 'intention to treat', menggunakan ujian Mixed Model ANOVA. Hasil kajian menunjukkan kesan masa yang signifikan (p < 0.05) dan saiz kesan yang besar antara 0.43 dan 0.54 bagi semua pembolehubah susulan kedua-dua terapi. Peningkatan sebanyak 17% (kumpulan kajian) dan 18.9% (kumpulan kawalan) ditunjukkan dalam ketahanan berjalan. Manakala, skor komponen fizikal dan komponen mental SF-36 masing-masing meningkat sebanyak 37.8% dan 19.4% dalam kumpulan kajian, dan 45.7% dan 20.6% dalam kumpulan kawalan. Namun, kesan kumpulan dan kesan interaksi didapati tidak signifikan (p > 0.05) dalam kajian ini. Kesimpulannya, RVBT adalah sebanding terapi senaman konvensional di dalam meningkatkan ketahanan berjalan dan kualiti hidup penghidap OA lutut. RVBT boleh dijadikan sebagai satu pilihan terapi bagi populasi ini.

Older adults who fall recurrently have sub-optimal physical performance especially muscle strength, mobility and balance. Recurrent falls lead to a heightened fear of falls. However, there is limited information regarding other domains of physical performance, namely flexibility and endurance. In addition, there is still limited knowledge pertaining fear of falls and physical activity levels among Malaysian community-dwelling older adults who are recurrent fallers. The aim of our study was to compare fear of falls, physical performance and physical activity levels among older adults with falls and recurrent falls. This cross-sectional study was carried out in two Malaysian urban districts. Physical performance was examined using Functional Fitness MOT (FFMOT). Modified Baecke Questionnaire and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC-6) Scale were administered to evaluate the level of daily physical activity and fear of falls respectively. A total of 35 older adults participated in this study, 20 fallers (mean age: 71.95±8.22) and 15 recurrent fallers (mean age: 76.73±8.82) respectively. Our study results showed that older adults with recurrent falls had significantly reduced lower extremity strength, dynamic balance, endurance, balance confidence in activities of daily living and physical activity levels compared to faller group (p < 0.05). Although flexibility and upper limb strength were not significantly different among fallers and recurrent fallers, overall improvement in physical performance should be targetted in falls prevention and management. This is vital to prevent further deterioration in physical performance among older adults with recurrent falls.

Older adults with cognitive impairment are at high risk of experiencing falls. Although no specific fall prevention guidelines presently exist for this population, exercise programmes to prevent falls are recommended. Limited literature exploring what older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment think about or how they make sense of the need for such programmes exists. This study explored the perspectives of older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their caregivers about exercise and physical activity in the context of fall prevention. Underpinned by Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken with nine community-dwelling adults (>65 years) with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their caregivers (N = 6). Three themes of acceptance, denial, and accommodation were identified. The fluctuating concept of ‘self’ appeared to influence individual decisions to exercise or be physically active and what sort of physical activity to undertake more than any practical barriers. We suggest that healthcare professionals emphasise the concept of personhood, listening to and reinforcing biographic narratives of older adults living with cognitive impairment to foster a sense of autonomy, and shared decision-making while emphasising fall prevention activities that older adults with cognitive impairment might like to engage with.