Visual biofeedback training reduces quantitative drugs index scores associated with fall risk

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Medications are known to increase fall risk and impair balance and mobility in older adults.
• The impact of fall risk reduction interventions on drug-associated fall risk indices remains largely undocumented.
• The Quantitative Drug Index (QDI) quantifies fall risk based on a patient's medication list.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether biofeedback training aimed at reducing fall risk can also decrease scores on a published drug-based fall risk index.
• To determine the efficacy of treadmill gait training with visual feedback (+VFB) in modifying the QDI.

Main Methods:

• Forty-eight community-dwelling older adults participated in the study.
• Participants were randomized to either treadmill gait training +VFB or treadmill walking without feedback.
• The Quantitative Drug Index (QDI) was calculated based on each participant's drug list, assessing all-cause drug-associated fall risk.

Main Results:

• Participants undergoing treadmill gait training +VFB showed a significant decrease in QDI scores (p=0.031) compared to the control group.
• Age was identified as a significant covariate influencing changes in QDI scores (p=0.007).
• Preliminary findings suggest that fall risk rehabilitation may lead to a reduction in the use of fall-associated drugs.

Conclusions:

• Treadmill gait training with visual feedback shows potential in reducing drug-associated fall risk in older adults.
• Further research with larger cohorts is needed to identify specific drugs or drug classes contributing to the observed QDI score reduction.
• This study highlights a potential link between physical rehabilitation strategies and improved medication safety profiles in the elderly.