Authors (including presenting author) :
Ku WNH, So WS, Wong SWA
Affiliation :
Occupational Therapy Department, Yan Chai Hospital
Introduction :
Lower limb fractures after a fall decrease patients’ ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL). Fear of fall can markedly decrease the confidence of engagement in social and outdoor activities and reduce their Quality of Life.
Lifestyle integrated functional exercise program (LiFE) was proved to reduce rate of falls, improve functional capacity, and participation in older adults (Clemson, 2012) and introduced to Occupational Therapy Department, Hospital Authority. Result of the pilot trial of the HK LiFE program to local community dwelling elderly was found effective and reported previously (Poon et al, 2019).
Objectives :
Previous HK LiFE was performed individually but not in group format. This is a pilot study to explore programme effectiveness of group HK LiFE for patients with lower limb fractures by evaluating their reduction of fear of fall, improvement in lower extremity functioning and IADL performance.
Methodology :
Selected patients with lower limb fractures, discharged from orthopaedics ward of Yan Chai Hospital were included LiFE program consisted of 5 sessions, including a pre-discharged home safety talk with LiFE training components. They then attend 4 sessions training, with emphasis on LiFE functional balance training and home programme. Telephone follow up for adherence of LiFE program was conducted.
Result & Outcome :
In between Jul 2019 and Jan 2020, 6 patients met the inclusion criteria and agreed to attend the group HK LiFE programme in our out-patient clinic. The mean score of fall efficacy (Chinese version Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale-Short Version) decreased from 26.6 to 14 immediately after the training. The mean score lower extremity functioning (The Short Physical Performance Battery) improved from 5 to 9.3. Their IADL performance (Lawton-IADL) improved from 13.7 to 20.3. All patients in the group were satisfied with the LiFE program and would like to suggest it to other patients. They also agreed that the program can increase their confidence in daily activities. The training activities were easy to follow and able to be embedded into daily life.
In conclusion, the group HK LiFE programme promoted patient’s fall efficacy, function and independently in daily living. Further study is suggested to explore the long term health improvement effect of HK LiFE in group format.
