Development, feasibility, and preliminary testing of a video based exercise programme for fall prevention in older community dwelling adults

Igwe, Chizoba, Ogunlewe, Omolara, Omileye, Adebayo, Ademoyegun, Adekola, Gebrye, Tadesse ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7976-2013, Faronbi, Joel, Fatoye, Francis ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3502-3953 and Mbada, Chidozie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3666-7432 (2025) Development, feasibility, and preliminary testing of a video based exercise programme for fall prevention in older community dwelling adults. Advances in Rehabilitation. ISSN 1734-4948

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Abstract

Introduction Falls prevention (FP) in older adults is an important area of research requiring innovative approaches. Telerehabilitation is speculated to have the potential for FP among older adults. This study aimed to develop and test the feasibility and short-term effects of a video-based exercise for FP (VbEFP) in community-dwelling older adults. Material and methods The Otago Exercise Programme was adapted for VbEFP following an iterative process. The feasibility of the VbEFP was carried out using Usability Satisfaction and Enjoyment Questionnaire among 10 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 67.6± 4.86 years; 70% female) after three weeks. Also, the short-term effect of VbEFP was assessed in terms of balance (Berg Balance Scale and 4-stage Balance Test), risk of falling (Timed Up and Go Test, 30-sec Chair Stand Test, and Fall Efficacy Scale), physical activity (Physical Activity scale for the Elderly), and health-related quality of life (SF-36 Health Survey). Results The participants had positive responses on usefulness (3.8± 0.59), ease of use (4.60± 0.90), ease of learning (4.80± 0.36), satisfaction (4.42± 0.50), and pleasantness (4.49± 0.37) of VbEFP. There was a significant difference in physical activities aimed at improving endurance following the implementation of VbEFP after 3 weeks (p= 0.001). Conclusions A video-based telerehabilitation based on the Otago Exercise Programme had satisfactory feasibility ratings regarding ease of use, usefulness, and satisfaction among Nigerian community-dwelling older adults. Though VbEFP significantly increases physical activity to improve endurance in the short-term, longer implementation of the intervention may be necessary to obtain significant benefits in other clinical outcomes.