This fall prevention trial was well designed. The “home safety
programme” showed to be effective in reducing falls during the follow-up
period of the study.[1]
Moreover, the effect of this intervention may be time related, and
the reduction of the effect might appear within the follow-up period. If
this was the case, a survival analysis (the first fall might be taken as
the end point) may be able to detect the time when the effect of the
intervention appeared to decrease. Extra visits or sending reminding
letters may help further reduce the risk at a low cost.
Reference
1.Campbell A., R.M., Grow S., Kerse N, Sanderson G, Jacobs R., and
H.L. Sharp D., Randomised controlled trial of prevention of falls in
people aged>=75 with severe visual impairment: the VIP
trial.BMJ,doi:10.1136/bmj.38601.447731.55 (published 23 September 2005)
Rapid Response:
Re: fall prevention trial
Dear editor,
This fall prevention trial was well designed. The “home safety
programme” showed to be effective in reducing falls during the follow-up
period of the study.[1]
Moreover, the effect of this intervention may be time related, and
the reduction of the effect might appear within the follow-up period. If
this was the case, a survival analysis (the first fall might be taken as
the end point) may be able to detect the time when the effect of the
intervention appeared to decrease. Extra visits or sending reminding
letters may help further reduce the risk at a low cost.
Reference
1.Campbell A., R.M., Grow S., Kerse N, Sanderson G, Jacobs R., and
H.L. Sharp D., Randomised controlled trial of prevention of falls in
people aged>=75 with severe visual impairment: the VIP
trial.BMJ,doi:10.1136/bmj.38601.447731.55 (published 23 September 2005)
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests