Backward Chaining Method for Teaching Long-Term Care Residents to Stand Up from the Floor: A Pilot Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Fear of falling in older adults reduces physical activity, increasing fall risk.
• The Backward Chaining Method (BCM) was developed to teach safe floor-to-stand movements.
• Older adults often worry about rising from the floor after a fall.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of BCM for teaching older adults to stand up from the floor.
• To assess BCM's impact on functional mobility, strength, fear of falling, and life-space mobility.

Main Methods:

• 26 long-term care residents were randomized into an intervention group (BCM training + usual care) and a control group (usual care).
• The intervention group underwent a seven-week BCM training program.
• Outcomes including functional mobility (Timed Up and Go), strength, fear of falling, and life-space mobility were measured at baseline and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in functional mobility, lower limb strength, or grip strength between groups.
• The intervention group showed significantly reduced fear of falling scores.
• The intervention group demonstrated significantly improved life-space mobility and independent life-space mobility.

Conclusions:

• The Backward Chaining Method is a feasible and well-tolerated intervention for older adults in long-term care.
• BCM shows potential benefits in reducing fear of falling and enhancing life-space mobility.
• Incorporating BCM into physiotherapy may improve outcomes for older adults concerned about rising from the floor.