# Effectiveness of Mobile Health Application-Based Interventions for Fall Prevention in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

## TL;DR

Mobile health apps can help older adults reduce fall risk and improve balance and strength, offering a safe and accessible way to prevent falls.

## Contribution

A systematic review and meta-analysis showing mHealth apps' effectiveness in fall prevention for older adults.

## Key findings

- mHealth app-based interventions reduced fall risk by 11% over 12 months.
- Secondary analyses showed improvements in balance, strength, and reduced fear of falling.
- Interventions were feasible, safe, and had acceptable adherence with no serious adverse events.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
mHealth app-based interventions reduced fall risk and improved balance, strength, and fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults.Interventions were feasible and safe, with generally acceptable adherence and no serious adverse events.

mHealth app-based interventions reduced fall risk and improved balance, strength, and fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults.

Interventions were feasible and safe, with generally acceptable adherence and no serious adverse events.

What are the implications of the main findings?
mHealth applications offer a scalable adjunct to conventional fall-prevention programs.Their integration into routine care may enhance access to fall prevention in community settings.

mHealth applications offer a scalable adjunct to conventional fall-prevention programs.

Their integration into routine care may enhance access to fall prevention in community settings.

Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and loss of independence among community-dwelling older adults. Mobile health (mHealth) application (app)-based interventions have emerged as a scalable approach to fall prevention. However, evidence from individual trials remains fragmented, underscoring the need for a comprehensive quantitative synthesis. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether mHealth app-based interventions reduce fall incidence and improve fall-related risk factors. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science identified randomized controlled trials meeting predefined eligibility criteria. Nine trials comprising 3437 participants were included, with dual-independent data extraction, quality appraisal, and assessment of evidence certainty. Compared with usual care or control conditions, mHealth app-based interventions reduced fall risk by 11% over 12 months (risk ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.81–0.98), corresponding to an absolute risk reduction of 6.6%. The pooled reduction in fall rate, however, did not reach statistical significance. Secondary analyses showed moderate improvements in balance, strength, and mobility, a significant decrease in fear of falling, and no serious adverse events. Overall, mHealth app-based interventions provide modest but meaningful benefits and may complement comprehensive fall-prevention strategies for older adults.