A Mobile Application for Fall Prevention Among Older Adults in Rural Thailand: A Research and Development Approach

Falls are a significant cause of injury and reduced quality of life among older adults in Thailand, particularly in rural areas with limited access to preventive care. While several fall prevention programs exist, few are tailored to the caregiver's role in supporting older adults at home, particularly caregivers in rural settings. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a mobile application for fall prevention among older adults in rural Thailand using a research and development (R&D) approach.

The five-step R&D process (April 2022-December 2023) included a needs assessment, followed by co-design workshops with caregivers, prototype development and small-group testing, pilot testing for usability and satisfaction, and implementation and evaluation. Through this structured, caregiver-centered process, the application KANLOM was developed. A one-group pretest-posttest study was conducted with thirty caregivers. Outcomes (knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests.

After using the KANLOM application, caregivers demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge (mean difference=1.07, 95% CI: 0.12-2.00, P=0.028), attitudes (mean difference=0.13, 95% CI: 0.07-0.23, P<0.001), and fall prevention behaviors (mean difference=0.16, 95% CI: 0.08-0.24, P<0.001). Overall satisfaction with the development and use of the application was high (mean=2.80 out of 3.00), especially in content usefulness, visual appeal, and practical applicability.

The KANLOM mobile application improved caregivers' ability to assess and prevent fall risks. Its participatory, offline design supports use in low-resource settings, empowers caregivers to take an active role in fall prevention, promotes community participation and health equity, and provides important implications for future research and policy.