Los efectos del ejercicio sobre las caídas en pacientes de edad avanzada: un meta-análisis planificado de antemano de los ensayos FICSIT

CRD COMMENTARY:

This meta-analysis addressed an appropriate clinically relevant question. The included studies comprised a pre-planned set of studies rather than all the possible randomised controlled studies that might have been included in this review. Although the authors described their analysis as a meta-analysis of IPD, no details of the handling and checking of IPD were reported except for one statement regarding randomisation: 'All randomisation procedures succeeded in producing comparable treatment groups'. The details of the individual studies were presented adequately. The authors' conclusion, that treatments including exercise for the elderly reduce the risks of falls, is supported by the review. However, it must be borne in mind that the size of this beneficial effect was small and that the important components of any exercise-containing intervention have yet to be determined.