The development of a fear of falling interdisciplinary intervention program

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Authors: Fernando Gomez, Carmen-Lucia Curcio

Published Date January 2007 Volume 2007:2(4) Pages 661 - 667

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S

Fernando Gomez, Carmen-Lucia Curcio

Research Group on Gerontology and Geriatrics, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Caldas, Manizales, Colombia

Objective: To describe the development process of a protocol for a fear of falling interdisciplinary intervention program based on the main factors associated with fear of falling.

Design/methods: The process of developing a protocol consisted of defining the target population, selecting the initial assessment components, adapting the intervention program based on findings about fear of falling and restriction of activities in this population.

Settings: University-affiliated outpatient vertigo, dizziness and falls clinic in coffee-growers zone of Colombian Andes Mountains.

Results: An intervention program was developed based on three main falling conceptual models. A medical intervention, based on a biomedical and pathophysiological model, a physiotherapeutic intervention based on a postural control model and a psychological intervention based on a biological-behavioral model.

Conclusion: This interdisciplinary fear of falling intervention program developed is based on particular characteristics of target population, with differences in the inclusion criteria and the program intervention components; with emphasis on medical (recurrent falls and dizziness evaluation and management), psychological (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and physiotherapeutic (balance and transfers training) components.

Keywords: fear of falling, elderly programs, Colombian, intervention