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PubMed · 10404930

Psychotropic medication withdrawal and a home-based exercise program to prevent falls: a randomized, controlled trial.

A J Campbell·M C Robertson·M M Gardner·R N Norton·D M Buchner
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of psychotropic medication withdrawal and a home-based exercise program in reducing falls in older people. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with a two by two factorial design. SETTING: Seventeen general practices in Dunedin, New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: Women and men aged 65 years registered with a general practitioner and currently taking psychotropic medication (n = 93). INTERVENTIONS: Two interventions: (1) gradual withdrawal of psychotropic medication versus continuing to take psychotropic medication (double blind) and (2) a home-based exercise program versus no exercise program (single blind). MEASUREMENTS: Number of falls and falls risk during 44 weeks of follow-up. Analysis was on an intent to treat basis. RESULTS: After 44 weeks, the relative hazard for falls in the medication withdrawal group compared with the group taking their original medication was .34 (95% CI, .16-.74). The risk of falling for the exercise program group compared with those not receiving the exercise program was not significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Withdrawal of psychotropic medication significantly reduced the risk of falling, but permanent withdrawal is very difficult to achieve.

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Accidental FallsAgedDouble-Blind MethodExercise TherapyFamily PracticeFemaleFollow-Up StudiesGeriatric AssessmentHome Care ServicesHumansMaleNew ZealandProgram EvaluationProportional Hazards ModelsPsychotropic DrugsRisk FactorsSingle-Blind MethodSurveys and QuestionnairesClinical TrialJournal ArticleMulticenter StudyRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

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BibTeXRIS

A J Campbell, M C Robertson, M M Gardner, R N Norton, D M Buchner. 1999. Psychotropic medication withdrawal and a home-based exercise program to prevent falls: a randomized, controlled trial.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.1999.tb03843.x

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