"Study protocol for the ≥65 years NOrthern jutland Cohort of Fall risk Assessment with Objective measurements (the NOCfao study)"

Assessing standing balance with MOTI: a validation study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of a new device called MOTI for measuring balance by comparing its performance that with of the gold-standard force platform.

METHODS

The study involved collecting data from both devices in dual- and single-leg standing positions with eyes open and closed and using statistical measures to compare their performance.

RESULTS

The results showed that MOTI can accurately measure balance during dual-leg standing tasks but has poor to moderate performance during single-leg standing tasks. However, it could detect small changes in postural sway caused by a reduced base of support and/or visual feedback. The study also found that the test-retest reliability was poor to moderate for both devices.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that MOTI has potential as a reliable tool for measuring balance during certain tasks, but further research is needed to improve its performance during single-leg standing. This study provides valuable insights into the validity and reliability of MOTI for measuring balance and highlights the need for further investigation.

Effects of multimedia-based fall prevention education on the knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors of patients

OBJECTIVES

Patient safety is regarded as a critical quality monitoring indicator for medical institutions. The effects of a multimedia-based patient education intervention on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding fall prevention were observed.

METHODS

The study had a quasi-experimental research design and enrolled 140 participants. Seventy participants in the experimental group received multimedia-based patient education and a health education leaflet, while those in the control group received only the health education leaflet. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection at baseline, and a posttest was applied after the intervention.

RESULTS

The participants were predominantly treated in the gastroenterology department (45.7%), followed by the pulmonology department (33.6%). A total of 86.4% of patients had not experienced a fall within 3 months. After the intervention, the average scores for all variables in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group. The results indicate that attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors regarding fall prevention among patients in the pulmonology department were higher than those among patients in the gastroenterology department; the differences were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The individualized health education content was of substantial significance for patients with different disease backgrounds and facilitated changes in their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding falls.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Multimedia-based patient education influenced inpatients' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors for preventing falls.