A digital strength and balance programme improved balance in older adults at 12 weeks

Design

Two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial

Population

202 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 (mean 76.8)

Primary outcome

Berg Balance Score at 12 weeks

Effect

Mean difference 6.35 (95% CI 4.48 to 8.22); QALY gain 0.020

This UK randomised trial, published 4 September in Age and Ageing, assigned 202 community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over (mean 76.8, 72.8% women) to the NHS-approved Keep-On-Keep-Up (KOKU) digital exercise programme plus standard care, or standard care alone — a leaflet and advice on strength and balance.

At 12 weeks, the KOKU group's Berg Balance Score was 6.35 points higher after adjustment (95% CI 4.48 to 8.22). Falls-related costs were lower but with a confidence interval including no saving, and the programme gained 0.020 quality-adjusted life years. Retention was 89%.

Balance improved meaningfully, but the trial was short and not powered for falls. It supports digital programmes as a scalable way to deliver strength and balance exercise to older adults who can use a tablet.

• Offer structured strength and balance exercise to older adults at risk of falls.
• Digital programmes can deliver this to those comfortable with a tablet or phone.
• Expect balance gains within 12 weeks.
• Falls reduction has not yet been shown with this programme.

Why it matters

Shows a way to deliver falls-prevention exercise at scale where therapists are scarce.

Don't overread it

Balance at 12 weeks is a surrogate; the trial did not show fewer falls.

The statistics, in plain English

A 6-point difference on the 56-point Berg scale is clinically meaningful. The cost saving's confidence interval crossed zero, so savings are not proven.

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