The effect of Otago exercises on fear of falling, balance, empowerment and functional mobility in the older people: Randomized controlled trial.

Aim: This study aimed to test the effect of Otago exercises on fear of falling, balance, empowerment and functional mobility in older people living in nursing homes. Methods: This study is a parallel‐group randomized controlled trial. In total, 56 individuals were stratified randomized according to age‐gender. Participants were recruited from September 2021 to August 2022. Data were collected at baseline, in the 8th and 12th weeks. The researcher gave Otago exercise training to the intervention group three times per week for the first 4 weeks and applied it to the individuals, and in the next 8 weeks, the researcher visited the institution to ensure the continuity of the exercises and contacted the individuals by phone. Friedman test and generalized linear model were used in the analysis of data. Results: In the study, group and time interaction were found to be significant in terms of the Berg balance scale, 30‐second sit‐and‐stand test, elderly empowerment scale and timed up‐and‐go test. It was determined that the intervention did not improve fear of falling, upper extremity strength and 6‐min walk test results. Conclusion: Health personnel and administrators should have increased awareness about Otago exercises and can recommend implementation of the programme. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Otago exercises are an evidence‐based, home‐based programme for improving balance.What this paper adds? Otago exercises can improve the balance, lower‐extremity strength, elderly empowerment score and timed up‐go test score of older people living in nursing homes.The Otago exercise programme did not improve the fear of falling, the strength of the upper extremities and the 6‐min walk test results for older people living in nursing homes.The implications of this paper: Health personnel and administrators should be aware of the potential benefits of Otago exercises and can recommend implementation of the programme.Nurses working in nursing homes can be taught how to deliver the programme and to plan training to roll out the programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]