RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a multidimensional intervention on the perception and management of risk factors and frequency of falls in independent elderly people living in the community. DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial. SETTING: Family health centre, primary care. PARTICIPANTS: Independent elderly people living in the community. INTERVENTION: For intervention group (IG) a multidimensional intervention, consisting of home visits and telephone follow-up was carried out for 5 months (n=77), and those assigned to the control group (CG, n=77) received usual care in the family health centre. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Perception of risk of falls, number of risk factors and number of falls in the study period. RESULTS: In both groups there were increases in the perception of risk factors for falling associated with walking (IG: P<.001 and CG: P<.001). Belonging to the IG was significantly associated with a decrease in the risk factors associated with surfaces (r=0.25) and shoes (r=0.24), as well as an increase in the perception of risk of falls associated with walking (r=0.21) and the presence of objects or furniture (r=0.36). In the IG, 5 participants (7.9%) suffered at least one fall in the 5-month period and 18 (27.7%) patients in the CG (P=.004). CONCLUSIONS: The multidimensional intervention was effective in reducing the frequency of falls and in the management of extrinsic risk factors associated with surfaces, lighting, and support devices.