THE ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPIST’S IN EXTRINSIC FACTOR RELATED TO FALLS IN THE ELDERLY

Abstract

This article seeks to demonstrate, through the literature, the conduct of physiotherapy in the extrinsic factor of falls in the elderly. It is a qualitative and integrative review, exploring the conduct of physiotherapy in falls in the elderly. Searches were carried out in SciELO, PubMed, PEDro and BVS databases, selecting 10 articles for the review. Data collection took place from December 2023 to February 2024, respecting the time frame of 2013 to 2024. From the data presented, it is clear that falls in the elderly are multifactorial, being influenced by intrinsic factors, such as health conditions and the natural aging of the body, and by extrinsic factors, such as the physical environment in which they live. The implementation of preventive and interventional measures is essential, considering not only the need for rehabilitation after a fall, but also the importance of reducing the risk of future falls. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in preventing falls in the elderly, providing functional assessment, personalized exercises, balance training and guidelines for modifications to the home environment. Evidence indicates its ability not only to reduce the occurrence of falls, but also to minimize their severity, improving the quality of life of the elderly.