FALLS IN THE ELDERLY: A PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Abstract

This literature review aimed to analyze the role of physical therapy in preventing falls in older adults, highlighting the effects of aging and intervention strategies aimed at improving strength, mobility, and balance. This is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study conducted through the analysis of articles published between 2017 and 2022, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, available in the BVS, Scielo, and PEDro databases. Ten studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected, involving different contexts of older adults, except those with cognitive impairment or neurological diseases. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of physical therapy, especially through supervised physical exercise, in reducing the risk of falls and maintaining functional autonomy. Interventions such as land and aquatic kinesiotherapy, structured programs like Otago, training on stabilometric platforms, vestibular rehabilitation, and the use of interactive technologies such as virtual reality and exergames, which increase adherence and motivation among older adults, stood out. The conclusion is that physical therapy plays an essential role in preventing falls, promoting health, functionality, and quality of life. However, the need for further clinical studies to deepen the evidence and evaluate the cost-benefit of the strategies applied is highlighted.