Shevchuk I. Reducing the risk of falls in elderly women with osteoarthritis of the joints of the lower extremities by means of physical therapy and occupational therapy

The dissertation is devoted to reducing the risk of falls in elderly women with osteoarthritis of the lower limbs. The problem of falls is urgent, considering the increase in their number after 60 years. Falls reduce physical functioning and independence, lead to serious injuries, and have enormous economic consequences for families and society. Osteoarthritis, a common chronic condition in the elderly, also leads to falls. Foreign studies prove the effectiveness of preventive interventions in reducing the risk of falls. There are separate studies on physical therapy and occupational therapy. However, there are no studies that combine both of these directions. In Ukrainian literature, the issue of falls was not studied at all. The purpose of the study is scientific substantiation and development of a comprehensive program of physical therapy and occupational therapy to reduce the risk of falls. The object of the study is the process of physical therapy and occupational therapy aimed at reducing the impact of fall risk factors. Materials and methods – analysis of literature, medical records, interviews, observations, tests: WOMAC, TUG, 30 CST, Berga, FES-I, LEFS, SF-12, methods of mathematical statistics. The scientific novelty of the work consists in the analysis of fall factors and the combination of occupational therapy and physical therapy interventions in the fall risk reduction program, in confirming the positive impact of exercises and occupational therapy tools in preventing falls. According to the results of the dissertation research, a connection between osteoarthritis and falls was established. The initial data of women with osteoarthritis on all tests were 2-3 times worse than the data of people without osteoarthritis. Relationships between pain, stiffness, limitation of function, impaired balance, walking speed, fear of falling and the fact of falling were found. Evaluation after completion of the program showed significant improvements in all indicators of women with osteoarthritis (p < 0.01). The results of the research are implemented in the work of rehabilitation centers and the educational process of NUPESU.