Application of protection motivation theory in elderly patients with osteoporotic spinal fractures

Objective To explore the effects of protection motivation theory on fall risk caused by senile osteoporotic spinal fracture, fall incidence and self-efficacy. Methods A total of 94 cases of senile osteoporotic spinal fracture in Wuxi Second People's Hospital from February 2015 to August 2016 were selected and divided into the control group (46 cases) and the observation group (48 cases) according to the random number table. Patients in the control group used routine nursing care, while patients in the observation group received additional protection motivation intervention. The fall risk assessment questionnaire (FRAQ) and osteoporosis self-efficacy scale (OSES) were used to compare the fall risk score, self-efficacy and the incidence of fall of the two groups before and after the intervention. Results At 6 months after the intervention, the incidence of fall was 2.08% (1/48) in the observation group and 13.04% (6/46) in the control group. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (χ2=4.094, P<0.05) . The fall risk score in the observation group was (36.46±3.08) %, which was significantly lower than that in the control group; calcium uptake efficiency score (44.98±2.84) and exercise self-efficacy scale score (48.54±2.85) in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t=3.817, 4.946, 8.186; P<0.05) . Conclusions Application of protection motivation theory intervention can effectively reduce the risk and the incidence of fall in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture and improve the calcium uptake efficiency and exercise self-efficacy. It is worthy of promotion. Key words: Aged; Osteoporotic fracture; Accidental fall; Protection motivation theory