Chang, Pei-Fei J.Kuo, Yang-Fang2022-01-192022-01-192013-02This is a published version of an article that is available at https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1029. Recommended citation: Chang, P.-F. J., & Kuo, Y.-F. (2013). Functional improvement in older adults after a falls prevention pilot study. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1(2). This item has been deposited in accordance with publisher copyright and licensing terms and with the author’s permission.https://hdl.handle.net/11274/13473https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1029Article originally published in The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1(2).. English. Published online 2013. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1029Falls are a costly, disabling, and life-threatening risk in the elderly. Improvements in physical function, balance, lower extremity strength, and health-related quality of life are hypothesized to help mitigate fall risk. In this pilot study, six women and men with an average age of 81 years participated in a 6-week exercise and education program created to reduce risk of falls. Evaluations were made at baseline and at 6 weeks on four tests: the Functional Status Questionnaire, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Six-minute Walk Test, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF 26-question test. Scores indicated significant improvement in functional physical status (activities of daily living), balance, distance walked in 6 min, and quality of life in the physical health domain. The size of this study limits the generalizability of its findings, but its evidence warrants undertaking a larger trial.en-USActivities of daily livingElderlyPhysical exerciseOutcomesQuality of lifeArticleCC BY-NC-ND 4.0