Viabilidade e efetividade da utilização de tecnologias móveis para prevenção de quedas em idosos: revisão da literatura

Abstract

Functional changes inherent to the aging process, such as decreased mobility and muscle strength, can lead to imbalance and, consequently, increase the risk of falls in the elderly. Falls are one of the most important health risks at this stage of life, which aroused the interest of researchers in improving the understanding and prevention of modifiable risk factors and in building the human resources necessary to provide preventive care to this population. Technological advances allow the introduction and updating of techniques and procedures used by health professionals, such as the use of mobile devices as support instruments. The present study aimed to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of using mobile technologies to prevent falls in the elderly through a literature review. A search was made in the databases Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and National Library of Medicine (PubMed) for studies with elderly residents in the community. A search was performed for articles published in English and Portuguese in the last seven years, using the descriptors falls, elderly and technology in a combined manner and their respective correlates in Portuguese. 9 articles were included in this review. Among the technologies applied to prevent falls in the elderly, digital games, fall detection and prevention applications and a web-based telepresence exercise program were used. The literature points out that mobile technologies have shown positive results in their acceptance, feasibility and effectiveness to improve the physical and psychological factors related to the fall, causing satisfaction in terms of ease. It is concluded, therefore, that the use of mobile technologies has been feasible and effective for reducing and preventing falls in elderly residents in the community.