Clin Interv Aging
November 2024
Background: The effects on gait and posture of balneotherapy in fallers are unknown. We assessed the effects on physical functioning and fear of falling of a balneotherapy program alone or combined with a physical activity and educational program in older adult fallers.
Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial enrolled patients aged 65 or older referred to a 3-week balneotherapy program, and screened for risk of falling (a history of falls in the last year and a timed up and go test or a five chair rising test >12 sec or a 4-meter walk test >4 sec).
Objective: To determine whether fatigue may be a risk factor for falling in older men and women, independent of other components of the frailty phenotype, fear of falling, and physical performance.
Design: Among 986 women and 485 men visiting a health resort (mean age 72.3 and 72.