Analysis of older people's preferences for exercise programs to prevent falls among older people with low and high perceived risk of falling

• Grant number: 16/12940-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2016
• End date: June 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Monica Rodrigues Perracini
• Grantee: Danielle Damasceno Aleixo
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pós-Graduação, Pesquisa e Extensão. Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Physical exercises are considered a key strategy in fall prevention programs in older populations. However, the engagement and the participation on these programs depend on their capacity to meet older's people preferences and necessities. The self-perceived risk of falling may interfere on their choice and on the adherence to exercise programs. Objective: To investigate the choices and the preferences of older' people with low and high perceived fall risk in relation to the characteristics of physical exercises programs for falls prevention. Methods: 220 participants living in the community aged 60 years and over, men and women, who have had experienced at least one fall event in their life cycle after this age will be included. Older people with cognitive decline ascertained by the Mini-Mental State examination adjusted for educational level will be excluded. A questionnaire to assess the preferences of participants containing different attributes with hypothetical scenarios that reproduce physical exercise programs characteristics for falls prevention based on the Best-Worst Scaling Choice Experiment (BWS) method will be used. Participants will be classified regarding their perceived fall risk (high or low) through the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I Brasil) and their preferences will be compared. A multivariate regression logistic analysis to estimate the level of preference (utility weights) in each program attribute will be conducted. (AU)