Twelve RCTs of multifactorial intervention programmes (n=4,271) and 10 RCTs of single intervention programmes (n=2,495) met the inclusion criteria.
Six studies assessed interventions that employed a health and fall risk factor assessment with appropriate health practitioner referral as part of multifactorial programmes. Three studies demonstrated a significant decrease in falls in the intervention group compared to the control group. The other studies reported a decrease in falls in the intervention group that was not statistically significant compared to controls.
Four of nine studies that assessed the effects of polypharmacy demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of falls or fallers in the intervention group; five studies showed no effect.
Four of the seven studies that evaluated the effect of vision assessment and correction demonstrated lower falls or rate of falls in the intervention group; three studies found no effect.
Four of the nine studies that assessed home visit and/or home modifications together with education as part of the multifactorial intervention programme demonstrated a reduction in falls in the treatment group; five studies found no effect.
Three of the five programs that used exercise and/or balance training as part of multifactorial programme demonstrated positive results.
Nine out of the 10 studies demonstrated a positive effect of exercise on fall-related outcomes; one study did not find an effect.
Two of the four studies that used home hazard assessment with modifications as a separate intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in falls, but reductions were specific to a subgroup of individuals at high risk for falling or a previous history of fall.