Falls Prevention in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review

Abstract

Adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) face a heightened risk of falls. Exercise approaches have been identified as a potential strategy to improve physical function and mitigate fall risk. Evaluate the effectiveness of exercise in preventing and mana- ging falls among adults and older adults with CVDs. A comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to June 2024 was conducted across five electronic databases. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess study quality. Thirteen RCTs met the inclu- sion criteria. Exercise protocols varied in frequency (2–5 sessions per week), session duration (20–60 minutes), and program length (6–12 weeks). Most studies have demonstrated signifi- cant improvements in physical function, as assessed through measures such as the 10-m walk test and the Berg Balance Scale. Fall risk reduction, primarily evaluated via the Falls Efficacy Scale, was observed in most studies, though two did not report significant effects. Exercise approaches enhance physical func- tion and contribute to fall prevention in individuals with CVDs. However, variations in program design limit the ability to estab- lish standardized recommendations. Further research is needed to determine the most effective exercise modalities for optimiz- ing fall prevention strategies in this population.