@article{ref1,
title="Free from falls education and exercise program for reducing falls in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial",
journal="Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical and Laboratory Research",
year="2021",
author="Cameron, Michelle H. and Hildebrand, Andrea and Hugos, Cinda L. and Judd, Grace I. and McMillan, Garnett and Jacobs, Peter G.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) fall frequently. Community-delivered exercise and education reduce falls in older adults, but their efficacy in multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of the Free From Falls (FFF) group education and exercise program on falls in PwMS. <br><br>METHODS: This was a prospective, assessor-blinded, two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial. Ninety-six participants were randomized to FFF (eight weekly 2 hour sessions) or the control condition (a fall prevention brochure and informing their neurologist of their fall history). Participants counted falls prospectively from enrollment through 6 months following intervention. Effects on fall frequency were evaluated by the Bayesian analysis. <br><br>RESULTS: The modeled mean fall frequency pre-intervention was 1.2 falls/month in the FFF group (95% credible intervals (CIs) = 0.8-2.0) and 1.4 falls/month in the control group (95% CI = 0.9-2.1). Fall frequency decreased by 0.6 falls/month in both groups over time (nadir 4-6 months post-intervention: FFF 0.6 falls/month (95% CI = 0.4-0.9); control 0.8 falls/month (95% CI = 0.5-1.1)). <br><br>CONCLUSION: In-person group exercise and education are not superior to written education and neurologist-initiated interventions for preventing falls in PwMS.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1352-4585",
doi="10.1177/13524585211046898",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13524585211046898"
}