PNF and Movement · Aug 31, 2026

A Review on Evaluation and Intervention of Fall Prevention in the Elderly

By Chang JS

Purpose: Falls in the elderly are a significant geriatric health concern, closely associated with reduced functional independence, injury, hospitalization, and increased mortality.This review aims to summarize the major risk factors for falls in the elderly and to provide clinically applicable evidence by evaluating fall risk assessment tools and evidence-based exercise interventions relevant to physical therapy practice.Methods: Falls should be recognized as a multifactorial phenomenon arising from the interaction of biological, behavioral, environmental, and socioeconomic factors.Therefore, a multifactorial assessment approach is more appropriate than one focused on a single risk factor.Results: The Berg Balance Scale, Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale, Senior Fitness Test, and dual-task assessments are identified as clinically useful tools with predictive validity, and their respective strengths, limitations, and indications for clinical use are summarized to guide tool selection.Multicomponent exercise programs, including balance training and muscle strengthening, demonstrate the most consistent effects in reducing fall incidence and risk among community-dwelling older adults.Additionally, programs that incorporate sensory integration, postural strategy training, gait adaptability, and dual-task elements offer advantages for improving balance recovery and functional mobility in real-life environments.Conclusion: Physical therapy approaches to fall prevention in the elderly should integrate multifactorial risk assessment and individualized multicomponent exercise interventions.

doi.org/10.21598/jkpnfa.2026.24.2.179 Open access Interventions