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12-07-2016 | Osteoporosis | Book Chapter | Article

11. Non-pharmacological Treatments for Falls and Fractures

Authors: Stephen R. Lord, PhD, DSc, Jacqueline C. T. Close, PhD, Catherine Sherrington, PhD, MPH, BAPPSC

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Abstract

There is strong evidence to support interventions in the prevention of falls in older people. Strategies shown to successfully reduce falls in randomized controlled trials include exercise including balance training, occupational therapy interventions incorporating education and home hazard modification, enhanced podiatry, restriction of multifocal glasses use, psychotropic medication withdrawal, expedited cataract extraction, cardiac pacing for carotid sinus hypersensitivity and targeted multifactorial interventions. As most fractures result from falls where the force exerted on a weakened skeleton is sufficient to break a bone, fall prevention strategies also have direct implications for fracture prevention.

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