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The purpose of this nonrandomized, controlled pretestposttest study was to determine the effectiveness of a Fall Risk Reduction Program for community-dwelling older adults. The intervention group (n = 49) received three monthly educational sessions with a Tai Chi home exercise component and the comparison group (n = 31) viewed a video on fear of falling. Selected cognitive (Fall Facts Check-Off), affective (Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale) and behavioral variables (Multidirectional Reach Test, Timed-Up-and-Go, 30 Second Chair Stand Test, and number of changes to reduce risks) were assessed. The intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge, had a variable adherence rate to exercise and made an average of 5.4 changes per person to reduce fall risks. There were no reports of initiating exercise or reducing fall risk factors from the comparison group. The Fall Risk Reduction Program is effective to increase fall-related knowledge and reduce fall risk factors in community-dwelling older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this multiple-subject case report is to describe the physical impairments, disabilities, and handicaps of patients with multiple traumas and pelvic-ring fractures after management with open reduction internal fixation. Nineteen men and 12 women, with a mean age of 38+/-16 years (mean+/-SD), were interviewed and examined at least 1 year (mean+/-14.5 months) after sustaining multiple traumas, including an unstable pelvic-ring fracture that was repaired by open reduction internal fixation. Disabilities and handicaps were assessed using the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire and the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP). Assessments of physical performance consisted of lift capacity, the amount of forward bending, and gait. A descriptive analysis by age and pelvic fracture classification is reported. The /= 50-year-old group had the lowest scores. Subjects with B1-class 'open-book' pelvic fractures had a tendency to score higher in individual SIP categories. The average SIP scores of 9.34 +/- 7.47 for the total SIP score, 7.79 +/- 6.93 for the physical dimension, and 8.24 +/- 9.61 for the psychosocial dimension represent mild disability. The mean Oswestry score of 13.26% +/- 15.41% also represents mild disability. Some subjects demonstrated impairments, disabilities, and handicaps 1 year postoperatively, but for the most part the subjects recovered almost all lost function. The data and clinical management information can be used as a basis of comparison for treatment and research with these types of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]