Acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of WE-SURF™: a virtual supervised group-based fall prevention exercise program among older adults

Ing, Janet Bong May and Tan, Maw Pin and Whitney, Julie and Tiong, Ing Khieng and Singh, Devinder Kaur Ajit (2024) Acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of WE-SURF™: a virtual supervised group-based fall prevention exercise program among older adults. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 36 (1). p. 125. ISSN 1594-0667, DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-024-02759-x.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-024-02759-x

Abstract

Conducted physically, supervised group-based falls prevention exercise programs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the risk of falls among older adults. In this study, we aimed to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of a virtual supervised group-based falls prevention exercise program (WE-SURF (TM)) for community-dwelling older adults at risk of falls. Method A preliminary study utilizing virtual discussions was conducted to assess the acceptability of the program among six older adults. Effectiveness was evaluated in a randomized controlled feasibility study design, comprising 52 participants (mean age: 66.54; SD: 5.16), divided into experimental (n = 26) and control (n = 26) groups. The experimental group engaged in a 6-month WE-SURF (TM) program, while the control group received standard care along with a fall's prevention education session. Feasibility of the intervention was measured using attendance records, engagement rates from recorded videos, dropouts, attrition reasons, and adverse events. Results Preliminary findings suggested that WE-SURF (TM) was acceptable, with further refinements. The study revealed significant intervention effects on timed up and go (TUG) (eta 2p:0.08; p < 0.05), single leg stance (SLS) (eta 2p:0.10; p < 0.05), and lower limb muscle strength (eta 2p:0.09; p < 0.05) tests. No adverse events occurred during the program sessions, and both attendance and engagement rates were high (> 80% and 8/10, respectively) with minimal dropouts (4%). The WE-SURF (TM) program demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the risk of falls while enhancing muscle strength and balance. Conclusion In conclusion, WE-SURF (TM) was demonstrated to be an acceptable, feasible, and effective virtual supervised group-based exercise program for fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults at risk of falls. With positive outcomes and favourable participant engagement, WE-SURF (TM) holds the potential for wider implementation. Further research and scaling-up efforts are recommended to explore its broader applicability. (Registration number: ACTRN 12621001620819).

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Virtual group-based exercise; Fall prevention; Older adults
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine > Medicine Department
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 15 Jan 2025 08:04
Last Modified: 15 Jan 2025 08:04
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/46908

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