Background of Studies
Patient falls are a threat that no care facility should overlook. In the first qualitative article, Cederbom et al. (2022) demonstrated patient falls as a health risk that requires multifaceted and proactive prevention measures as the number of older adults continues to increase. The problem is significant to nursing since patient falls are a leading cause of functional deterioration and morbidity that increases health and social services expenditure among older adults (Rikkonen et al., 2023; Cederbom et al., 2022). To expand research on practical interventions for preventing patient falls, Cederbom et al. (2022) evaluated physical therapists (PTs) experiences with applying the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) among home-dwelling older adults. The objective was to examine the outcomes associated with the program and whether it can be applied in other settings. Researchers aimed to answer the question: what is the applicability of OEP among home-dwelling older adults depending on formal care? In the other article, Arkkukangas et al. (2021) explored older adults’ experiences with a mobile application for fall prevention exercises. The objective was to analyze the effectiveness of the intervention and identify areas for further improvement. Researchers aimed to answer the question: what are older persons’ experiences with mobile health application for fall prevention exercise? Both articles focus on experiences as a major theme.
Articles Supporting the Nursing Practice Problem
As patient falls continue to increase among elderly patients, research evaluating the feasibility of fall prevention methods is of great value to nurses. The article by Cederbom et al. (2022) will be used to answer the PICOT question by demonstrating the benefits of exercise-based therapy (Otago Exercise Program) among older adults at risk of falls. Its authors focus on outcomes such as improving physical function and self-efficacy, pivotal in preventing falls in inpatient settings. The article by Arkkukangas et al. (2021) will be used to answer the PICOT question by exploring outcomes associated with fall prevention exercises. Both articles support implementing exercise programs to improve physical functioning and balance, among other outcomes associated with a low incidence of patient falls.
Interventions and comparison groups help researchers to compare outcomes between participants receiving different treatments. In both studies, older adults participated in an exercise-based intervention for a period determined by the researcher. Due to the nature of the studies (qualitative), there were no comparison groups. All participants were enrolled in different programs, and experiences were assessed by interviewing participants. A similar approach can be applied to implement the proposed project since all patients should participate in moderate physical exercises to reduce the incidence of falls.
Method of Studies
Apart from objectives and study populations, the articles apply different research methods to collect and analyze data. Cederbom et al. (2022) conducted semi-structured interviews among physical therapists based on an interview guide. The data was then analyzed thematically to summarize relationships between research variables. In the other article, Arkkukangas et al. (2021) conducted two focus group interviews among twelve older adults in organizations for retired persons. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed via content analysis.
Research methods have different benefits and limitations depending on how they affect reliability, validity, and other critical research elements. As Ellis (2022) stated, semi-structured interviews are flexible since participants answer open-ended questions. They also allow researchers to make easy comparisons between respondents. However, semi-structured interviews are time-consuming, which is a great limitation. Rivaz et al. (2019) found focus group discussions effective in enabling researchers to collect rich data by engaging participants actively. Despite this advantage, focus group interviews are time-consuming and ineffective for large groups.
Results of Studies
Key Findings
These studies provide valuable findings for nursing professionals interested in implementing exercise therapy among older adults at risk of falls. After analyzing data from physical therapists, Cederbom et al. (2022) found the Otega Exercise Program effective in fall prevention since it improved patients’ physical function, self-efficacy, and mood. In this case, the program improved older adults’ ability to avoid falls and their perception of individual ability to respond to fall-associated risks.
The other study also provides valuable information concerning the feasibility of fall-pr
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