Study designs of evaluations included in the review
All the studies were randomised controlled trials.
Specific interventions included in the review
All the studies to be included were of exercise programmes. All programmes were community- or nursing home-based and lasted 10 to 36 weeks. The interventions included at least one (and usually two or more) of the following components: endurance, flexibility, resistance, balance, educational/behavioural, medication changes, and nutritional supplements.
Participants included in the review
All studies included elderly patients only. Most studies included ambulatory participants; one included only those with balance deficits and low thigh strength, while another included only those who were functionally dependent in two or more activities of daily living. The lower age limit for inclusion in any of the studies was 70 years, although two studies enrolled patients aged 65 and over as long as they had fallen or had a recognised mobility deficit.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Each study assessed falls and injurious falls from randomisation to the end of the intervention programme, and then through a follow-up period of 2 to 4 years. The definition of falls and the taxonomy of injuries was common across all of the included studies. The other outcomes were functional status, muscle strength, balance and activities of daily living.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
It was pre-planned that all randomised controlled trials of the FICSIT study were to be included.