02098nas a2200181 4500000000100000008004100001260001700042100002600059700001800085700001400103700001600117700001900133245013700152300001200289490000700301520159400308022001401902 2018 d c1073844162371 aSherrington Catherine1 aClemson Lindy1 aKeay Lisa1 aDillon Lisa1 aRamulu Pradeep00aA systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise-based falls prevention strategies in adults aged 50+ years with visual impairment. a456-4670 v383 a

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of exercise or physical training on falls or physical function in people aged 50+ years with visual impairment, compared with control (no intervention or usual care).

METHODS: An updated systematic review of randomised controlled trials, investigating the effect of exercise or physical activity on falls prevention or physical function in adults aged 50+ with visual impairment. Searches of CINAHL, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, and Medline were undertaken. Three trials were identified for the period February 2013 to July 2017 and added to the four in the original review.

RESULTS: New trials evaluated yoga, the Otago Exercise Programme in combination with a home safety programme and the Alexander Technique. Meta-analysis of data from two trials (n = 163) indicated a non-statistically significant positive impact of exercise on the Chair Stand Test (WMD -1.85 s, 95% CI -4.65 to 0.96, p = 0.20, I 22%). In this update, two new trials measured falls so meta-analysis was possible for three trials (n = 539) and revealed no impact on falls (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.50, p = 0.81, I 30%).

DISCUSSION: Although exercise or physical training can improve physical function in older adults with visual impairment, and diverse strategies are being evaluated, there are no proven falls prevention strategies. In the few studies available, falls are not consistently reported and more work is required to investigate falls prevention in older adults with visual impairment.

 a1475-1313