Effectiveness of home safety training and balance exercises in reducing fear of falling among older women - A quasi-experimental study in southern Iran

Sep 29, 2026

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This study examined whether a combined home-safety training and balance-exercise program could reduce fear of falling and improve ergonomic risks among older women. A quasi-experimental design assigned 336 Iranian women aged 60+ non-randomly to four groups based on home anti-slip flooring type. Over two months in 2024, participants received training and supervised exercises. The intervention significantly reduced fear of falling and improved home ergonomic safety, while balance performance and fall frequency showed no significant changes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Falls as a major health issue

Fear of falling and home-environment risk factors

Rationale for flooring-type comparisons

Materials and methods

Study design and population

Results and outcomes

Fear of falling and ergonomic safety changes

Balance performance and fall frequency

Preventive Medicine Reports 61 (2026) 103351 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Preventive Medicine Reports journal [homepage:](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/pmedr)[ www.elsevier.com/locate/pmedr](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/pmedr) | Effectiveness of home safety training and balance exercises in reducing fear of falling among older women: A quasi-experimental study in southern Iran
Saiedeh Nazaria,1, Fakhruddin Boraghib,2, Masoud Karimic,3, Mojtaba Kamaliniad,4, Samuel T. Faloyee,5, Abdolrahim Asadollahif,*,6
a Dept. of Gerontology, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
b School of Health, Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran c Dept. of Health Promotion, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Razi Ave., Shiraz, Iran
d Dept. of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
e Dept. of Information Systems and Technology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, King Edward Ave., Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, P.O. Box: 3201, South Africa f Dept. of Gerontology, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Razi Ave., Shiraz, Iran | | | | --- | --- | --- | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | Keywords: Accidental falls Aged
Balance exercises Ergonomics Exercise therapy Fear of falling
Home ergonomic indicators
Home safety
Human Iran
Older women
Quasi-experimental studies Fear
Female | | Objectives: This study examined whether a combined home-safety training and balance-exercise program could reduce fear of falling and improve ergonomic risks.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 336 Iranian women aged ≥60 who were non-randomly assigned to four groups based on the pre-existing type of anti-slip flooring in their homes. Over a two-month period in 2024, participants received home-safety training focused on practical ergonomic modifications, along with supervised balance and strength exercises. Outcomes included the Fear of Falling questionnaire, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, and an ergonomic home-risk checklist.
Results: The intervention significantly reduced fear of falling and improved home ergonomic safety (p = 0.01). No significant changes were observed in balance performance (Berg: p = 0.82; TUG: p = 0.34) or fall frequency (p = 0.46). Among flooring types, the Sonia group showed the largest reduction in fear of falling (p = 0.02), while the Selda group showed a small decrease in fall frequency (p = 0.01). Ergonomic improvements were most evident in bathrooms and kitchens, where grab bars and non-slip surfaces were implemented.
Conclusions: Home safety training combined with targeted ergonomic changes effectively reduced fear of falling and improved home safety. | 1. Background Falls are a major health issue in older adults, leading to reduced quality of life, disability, and high healthcare costs (Stavropoulos et al., 2020). Globally, over 37 million falls require medical care each year, with adults over 60 experiencing most fatal events; low- and middleincome countries account for more than 80 % of fall-related deaths (World Health Organization, 2021). Common contributors include chronic diseases, inactivity, high BMI, musculoskeletal problems, and environmental hazards such as slippery floors, poor lighting, clutter, and unsafe bathrooms (Yosef et al., 2024). Fear of falling further impairs balance and restricts daily activities (MacKay et al., 2021; Liu et al., 2021). Home-environment factors—particularly flooring quality—playa central role in fall risk, yet the comparative effects of different flooring types (Sonia, Lotus, Aphrodite, Selda) remain understudied (Boonkhao et al., 2024). Balance and strength exercises are effective fall-prevention strategies (Stanghelle et al., 2020), but their integration with ergonomic home * Corresponding author at: De

FAQs

What was the objective of the study?

To examine whether a combined home-safety training and balance-exercise program could reduce fear of falling and improve ergonomic risks among older women.

How were participants assigned to groups?

Participants were non-randomly assigned to four groups based on the pre-existing type of anti-slip flooring in their homes.

What were the key findings of the intervention?

The intervention significantly reduced fear of falling and improved home ergonomic safety, but it did not produce significant changes in balance performance or fall frequency.

Sep 29, 2026

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