Meta-regression exploring the impact of trial-level characteristics on the effects* of the intervention on the rate of falls and risk of one or more falls and risk of recurrent falls
| Variable tested in meta-regression | Trials, n | Coefficient (95% CI) | Reduction in I2 (%) |
| Rate of falls (I2 in original meta-analysis=90.1%) | |||
| Trial design | |||
| Sample size† | 20/20 | 1.00 (1.00 to 1.00) | −0.2 |
| Less than 20% missing outcome data | 12/20 | 1.03 (0.68 to 1.54) | 0.7 |
| Comparator usual care only | 15/20 | 0.66 (0.42 to 1.05) | 0.6 |
| Participant characteristics | |||
| Average age >75 years | 14/20 | 1.11 (0.72 to 1.69) | −0.5 |
| Selected as high risk of falls | 14/20 | 0.89 (0.34 to 2.33) | −0.1 |
| Intervention components | |||
| Included NICE-recommended components | 17/20 | 2.37 (1.01 to 5.56) | 0.2 |
| Actively provided treatment to address fall-related risk factors | 14/20 | 0.95 (0.63 to 1.45) | −0.8 |
| Adherence was assessed | 15/20 | 0.82 (0.28 to 2.44) | −0.8 |
| Risk of sustaining one or more falls (I2 in original meta-analysis=55.8%) | |||
| Trial design | |||
| Sample size† | 30/30 | 1.00 (1.00 to 1.00) | 1.3 |
| Less than 20% missing outcome data | 15/30 | 0.98 (0.83 to 1.17) | −1.5 |
| Comparator usual care only | 25/30 | 0.94 (0.69 to 1.26) | 0.1 |
| Participant characteristics | |||
| Average age >75 years | 20/30 | 0.96 (0.79 to 1.16) | −0.7 |
| Selected as high risk of falls | 19/30 | 0.89 (0.51 to 1.56) | −0.6 |
| Intervention components | |||
| Included NICE-recommended components | 25/30 | 0.98 (0.67 to 1.44) | −1.3 |
| Actively provided treatment to address fall-related risk factors | 17/30 | 0.94 (0.80 to 1.11) | −0.2 |
| Adherence was assessed | 20/30 | 1.19 (0.67 to 2.13) | −1.0 |
| Risk of sustaining recurrent falls (I2 in original meta-analysis=46.0%) | |||
| Trial design | |||
| Sample size† | 15/15 | 1.00 (1.00 to 1.00) | 0.6 |
| Less than 20% missing outcome data | 7/15 | 1.31 (0.66 to 2.60) | −0.7 |
| Comparator usual care only | 12/15 | 0.94 (0.34 to 2.59) | −4.4 |
| Participant characteristics | |||
| Average age >75 years | 10/15 | 0.94 (0.52 to 1.72) | −4.2 |
| Selected as high risk of falls | 10/15 | 1.13 (0.33 to 3.95) | 1.1 |
| Intervention components | |||
| Included NICE-recommended components | 13/15 | 1.01 (0.18 to 5.46) | −4.1 |
| Actively provided treatment to address fall-related risk factors | 10/15 | 0.78 (0.39 to 1.56) | −1.0 |
| Adherence was assessed | 11/15 | 0.89 (0.19 to 4.06) | −6.8 |
*Associated with a greater fall prevention effect.
†Included as continuous variable.
NICE, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.