Tier 1 — highest

Effects of vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and a simple home strength exercise program on fall prevention: the DO-HEALTH randomized clinical trial

Heike A Bischoff-Ferrari, Gregor Freystätter, Bruno Vellas, Bess Dawson-Hughes, Reto W Kressig, John A Kanis, Walter C Willett, JoAnn E Manson, René Rizzoli, Robert Theiler, Lorenz C Hofbauer, Gabriele Armbrecht, José A P da Silva, Michael Blauth, Caroline de Godoi Rezende Costa Molino, Wei Lang, Uwe Siebert, Andreas Egli, Endel J Orav, Maud Wieczorek, DO-HEALTH Research Group
The American journal of clinical nutrition 2022 115(5):1311-1321

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 35136915
DOI
10.1093/ajcn/nqac022
Trial registry
View on ClinicalTrials.gov Registered trial — results not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Funding
Funding is not specified in the indexed abstract or accessible funding metadata. Consult the original publication for the declaration.
Competing interests
A competing-interest declaration is not available in the indexed abstract or accessible disclosure metadata.

Study snapshot

DesignFalls analysis of the randomized DO-HEALTH trial
ModelHuman participants
Sample2,157 community-dwelling adults aged 70+
InterventionD3 2,000 IU/day, omega-3 1 g/day and/or home strength exercise
Duration3 years
EndpointsTotal and injurious falls

What the study showed, in plain terms

This publication examines total and injurious falls. Study population or evidence base: 2,157 community-dwelling adults aged 70+. Intervention or exposure: D3 2,000 IU/day, omega-3 1 g/day and/or home strength exercise.

Key findings

Vitamin D did not reduce total falls. Omega-3 produced a modest fall-rate signal, while the home exercise intervention was neutral in this population.

What this study can and cannot tell us

The participants were generally active and healthy. Findings for another factorial intervention do not establish a vitamin D benefit.

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