Objective: To map out the definition and concepts of safer mobility behaviour and how it is applied through assessment and intervention for fall prevention in older adults and people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) living in the community.

Background: Falls are a devastating issue with compounded effects for PwPD. Safer mobility behaviour is an emerging approach for fall prevention. Although the literature reports components of relevant assessment and intervention, the approach has not been holistically outlined. Given the additional effects motor and non-motor impairments have on falls, the implication of safer mobility behaviour for PwPD remains unknown.

Method: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with The Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodology for scoping reviews and an a priori protocol. Studies included older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) and/or PwPD within home, community and primary care settings. Studies that sought to define, describe, and/or explain this concept were included. Assessment tools with >50% items designed to assess mobility behaviour and interventions with at least one safer mobility behaviour component to reduce falls were included.

Results: A total of 124 publications within 107 studies were included. Whilst safer mobility behaviour was not explicitly defined, its performance was described as a combination of observable actions and cognitive processes. Furthermore, it occurred along a spectrum of safer to riskier behaviour through a dynamic interaction between the person, the environment they were in and the task they were performing [Figure 1]. Ten assessment tools that assessed behavioural strategies were identified. However, none were specifically designed for PwPD. In contrast, seven out of 16 interventions involving education and movement strategy training were designed for PwPD.

Conclusion: This review provides an overview of safer mobility behaviour and how it is assessed and improved for older adults and PwPD. Safer mobility behaviour is any protective action and associated functional cognitive process used to prevent falls. Future assessment tools and interventions for PwPD should be tailored to specifically address the heterogeneity and progression of Parkinson’s disease.

Figure 1. Safer mobility behaviour framework

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-scoping-review-of-safer-mobility-behaviour-for-falls-prevention-implications-for-people-with-parkinsons-disease/