100 studies (total number of participants not stated), 2 of which were RCTs (n=204).
Alarm systems (n=2 studies): Bed alarms (1 RCT) and ambularms (1 uncontrolled trial). There was no evidence on the effectiveness of alarm systems in preventing patients falls.
Identification bracelets (n=8 studies): 1 RCT (n=134) found that bracelets did not reduce the number of falls in this groups of bracelets. Identification bracelets, and coloured stickers on the patient's chart, bed or door have also been evaluated as part of a programme of multiple interventions (n=7 studies), these studies did not provide any evidence on the effectiveness of bracelets, or other methods of identifying patients at high-risk of falling, as interventions for use on their own.
Multiple interventions (n=17 studies): These programmes typically consisted of an assessment of a patient's risk of falling followed by implementation of interventions aimed at reducing these risks. No CRT has evaluated this approach and its effectiveness is unclear as results are contradictory.
Restraints and bedrails (n=8): Many studies demonstrate that some falls will occur despite restraints or bedrails being in use at the time of the fall. The evidence from the studies clearly indicates that these devices do not provide complete protection from falling.
Rigorous research methods were not commonly used in these studies, with some studies lacking any form of control or comparison group. Poor reporting of methods, interventions used, and results made interpretation of results problematic.