SENIORS' PERCEPTIONS OF USING HIP PROTECTORS TO REDUCE FRACTURE RISK

Methodological issues in fall prevention research involving older adults in long-term care facilities

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the current fall prevention literature, examining methodological issues resulting from variations in fall definitions, methods of data collection, and standards for reporting fall rates in studies involving older adults in long-term care settings. This systematic review used the five stages of Whittemore and Knafl's review methodology to extract data from the databases, summarize, and synthesize the findings of the 10 studies included. The Critical Appraisal Skill Program checklist for randomized controlled trials criteria was used to appraise the methodological quality of the studies. Inconsistencies in fall definitions, methods of data collection, and standards for reporting fall rates were apparent across the studies reviewed. Standardized approaches to defining falls, collecting data, and reporting fall rates are necessary to interpret, make comparisons among, and disseminate the findings of studies.