PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS IN THE PREVENTION OF FALLS IN THE ELDERLY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

OBJECTIVE: To gather and analyze physiotherapeutic interventions applied to prevent falls in the elderly.METHODS: This is a systematic review conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions guidelines and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement following to the PICOS algorithm. The bibliographical survey was carried out through the PubMed, SCIELO, and PEDro databases, developed in the period from April to June 2023. RESULTS: The search resulted in 184 articles, of which 06 were included. In total, data from 675 older adults were analyzed, 56 of whom were in a long-term care institution and 619 in the community, aged over 60 years. The result of this systematic review shows that the studies found presented significant results in relation to the effect of the use of the following interventions: technological resources, static and dynamic exercises, multisurface alterations, motor and psychomotor image training, being physiotherapeutic resources capable of preventing falls in the elderly.CONCLUSION: The present review evidenced that the different therapeutic approaches mentioned have positive effects when related to fall prevention in the elderly, and that the multidisciplinary approach associated with health education contributes to the effectiveness of follow-up, health promotion, and prevention of injuries in this population.