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Acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of WE-SURF™: a virtual supervised group-based fall prevention exercise
Janet Bong May Ing1,2, Maw Pin Tan3, Julie Whitney4
1Physiotherapy Programme, Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
|June 5, 2024
Summary
The virtual supervised group exercise program WE-SURF™ is acceptable, feasible, and effective for preventing falls in older adults. It significantly improved balance and muscle strength with high engagement and low dropout rates.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Supervised group-based exercise programs are effective for fall prevention in older adults.
- Virtual delivery offers a scalable alternative for community-dwelling seniors.
- Assessing the WE-SURF™ program's virtual delivery is crucial for accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of the virtual supervised group-based falls prevention exercise program (WE-SURF™).
- To determine if WE-SURF™ can reduce fall risk in community-dwelling older adults.
Main Methods:
- A preliminary study assessed acceptability via virtual discussions with six older adults.
- A 6-month randomized controlled feasibility study involved 52 participants (experimental vs. control).
- Feasibility was measured by attendance, engagement, dropouts, and adverse events. Effectiveness was assessed using TUG, SLS, and muscle strength tests.
Main Results:
- WE-SURF™ was found acceptable with high attendance (>80%) and engagement (8/10), and minimal dropouts (4%).
- Significant improvements were observed in Timed Up and Go (TUG), Single Leg Stance (SLS), and lower limb muscle strength.
- No adverse events were reported, indicating a safe intervention.
Conclusions:
- The WE-SURF™ program is an acceptable, feasible, and effective virtual falls prevention exercise for older adults.
- Positive outcomes and engagement suggest potential for wider implementation.
- Further research and scaling-up are recommended for broader applicability.
