RT Journal Article
T1 Interdisciplinary expert agreement on group and definitions for compensatory protective step strategies to prevent falls: A e-Delphi method study
A1 Melo Alonso, María
A1 León Llamas, Juan Luis
A1 Villafaina, Santos
A1 Gómez Álvaro, Mari Carmen
A1 Olivares Sánchez-Toledo, Pedro Rufino
A1 Padilla Modelo, Carmen
A1 Gusi, Narcis
AB Background: Older adults have a high probability of experiencing falls during activities of daily living, which can lead to fear of falling, alterations in gait patterns, decreased mobility, reduced social interactions, and limited ability to perform various tasks. Previous studies examining gait in the presence of perturbations have identified and analyzed several protective gait strategies aimed at preventing falls. However, there is a lack of standardized terminology and definitions for these strategies, hindering comparison and collaborative progress among researchers and professionals.Objective: To unify definitions of compensatory protective step strategies and establish a standardized terminology.Methods: This study adapted the Conducting and Reporting of Delphi Studies (CREDES) guidelines and followed a chronological sequence: 1) Preliminary phase: A literature review and both quantitative (three dimensions: relevance, wording, and identification, assessed using a Likert-type scale (1 to 5) and qualitative (an open-ended question) assessment were conducted; 2) Exploratory phase: Expert  panel selection (n = 14) and the e-Delphi study were conducted; and 3) Final phase: Expert opinions were collected and analyzed. Content validity was assessed using Aiken’s V coefficient. Results: The results demonstrated high levels of validity (V ≥ 0.68) for all definitions, with none being eliminated based on Aiken’s V critical value.Conclusion: A precise definition was developed for each of the 14 compensatory protective step strategies (13 identified in the scoping review and one added by the expert panel). In total, the number of definitions was reduced from 61 to 14, with one definition for each of the compensatory protective step strategies identified.
PB Elsevier
SN 1413-3555
SN 1809-9246 (electrónico)
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27584
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27584
LA eng
NO Melo-Alonso, M., Leon-Llamas, J. L., Villafaina, S., Gomez-Alvaro, M. C., Olivares, P. R., Padilla-Moledo, C., & Gusi, N. (2025). Interdisciplinary expert agreement on group and definitions for compensatory protective step strategies to prevent falls: A e-Delphi method study. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 29(4), 101227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2025.101227
NO In the framework of the Spanish National R +D +i Plan, the current study was co-funded by the Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation (reference PID2019–107191RB I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). The author M.M.-A. was supported by an internship contract (Resolution no 586/2022) from the Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation (reference PID2019-107191RB I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and M.M-A. was supported by a grant from the “Sistema Extreme˜no de Ciencias, Tecnología e Innovaci´on” by Junta de Extremadura and co- financed by FSE+of Extremadura (PD23108). This study was also fun ded by the Research Grant for Groups (GR21176) funded by the Junta de Extremadura (Regional Government of Extremadura) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER) “a way of doing Europe”. This study was supported by the Biomedical Research Networking Center on Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES) and FEDER funds from the European Union (CB16/10/00477). The funders played no role in the study design, the data collection, and analysis, the decision to publish, or the preparation of the manuscript.
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 1 jun 2026