Lifestyle-integrated functional exercise to prevent falls and promote physical activity: Results from the LiFE-is-LiFE randomized non-inferiority trial

• DOI: 10.1186/s12966-021-01190-z
• Publication Date: 2021-09-03T12:03:14Z
• Authors: Carl-Philipp Jansen; Corinna Nerz; Sarah Labudek; Sophie Gottschalk; Franziska Kramer-...; Jochen Klenk; Judith Dams; Hans-Helmut König; Lindy Clemson; Clemens Becker; Michael Schwenk
• Keywords: Clinical nutrition; Behavioural sciences

The 'Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise' (LiFE) program successfully reduced risk of falling via improvements in balance and strength, additionally increasing physical activity (PA) older adults. Generally being delivered an individual one-to-one format, downsides LiFE are considerable human resources costs which hamper large scale implementability. To address this, a group format (gLiFE) was developed analyzed for its non-inferiority compared to reducing activity-adjusted fall incidence intervention costs. In addition, PA further secondary outcomes were evaluated. Older adults (70 + years) at included this multi-center, single-blinded, randomized trial. Balance strength activities means enhance seven sessions, either or individually the participant's home (LiFE), followed by two "booster" phone calls. Negative binomial regression used analyze gLiFE 6-month follow-up; interventions descriptively; using generalized linear models. Analyses carried out per protocol intention-to-treat. Three hundred nine persons into (n = 153) 156). Non-inferiority rate ratio inconclusive after 6 months according (mean 1.27; 95% CI: 0.80; 2.03) intention-to-treat analysis 1.18; 0.75; 1.84). Intervention lower (-€121 under study conditions; -€212€ "real world" assumption). Falls between baseline follow-up both groups (gLiFE: -37%; LiFE: -55%); increases significantly higher (+ 880 steps; CI 252; 1,509). Differences other insignificant. Although inconclusive, constitutes less costly alternative it comes with larger enhancement daily PA. fact that no significant differences found any outcome underlines addresses functional comparable degree as LiFE. Advantages formats should be evaluated light needs preferences before recommending format. preregistered clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT03462654 ) on March 12th 2018.