Table 2

Variables and timing measurements

Variable

Time measured

Baseline

3 months

6 months

12 months

Inclusion and exclusion variables

TQ

Falls and near-falls

Continuously every day when fall occur

Severity of fall incidents

Continuously every day when fall occur

Sociodemografic, physical and environmental factors

WQ

Balance (Berg Balance Scale)

M

M

M

Fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale)

OQ

OQ

OQ

Physical parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, lung function parameters)

M

M

M

Physical activity (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly)

WQ

WQ

PQ

WQ

Functional status (Groningen Activity Restriction Scale)

WQ

WQ

PQ

WQ

Quality of life (EuroQol)

WQ

WQ

PQ

WQ

Mental health (SF-36)

WQ

WQ

PQ

WQ

Use of walking devices, medication, use of health care services, adjustments to the house

WQ

WQ

PQ

WQ

Compliance to intervention

X

TQ = telephone questionnaire; WQ = written questionnaire; OQ = oral questionnaire; PQ = written questionnaire send by post; D = diary, by self report, concurrent registration; M = measurement (e.g. by a test); X = reported by teacher

Zeeuwe et al. BMC Geriatrics 2006 6:6   doi:10.1186/1471-2318-6-6