You may be familiar with Ritalin (methylphenidate) because of its use in treating hyperactivity… but a recent study took a look at other benefits the drug might have.
The Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University held a study on the effects of Ritalin in older adults. Twenty-six healthy, independently living seniors participated in the study. Some were given a placebo; some were given Ritalin (or a generic equivalent).
The seniors were given a fall screening test before and after the drugs were administered. The test required participants to:
- Rise from a sitting position
- Walk ten feet (approximately three meters)
- Turn around and walk back to the chair
- Sit down again
After taking Ritalin, the seniors were able to perform the test at a greater speed and with less variation in their strides. Stride variability is one sign of instability, and can increase your chances of suffering a fall. Just one dose was enough to make a noticeable difference in the fall risk test results!
Keep in mind that this was a small, preliminary study. More research and trials are needed before doctors can recommend Ritalin to reduce fall risk on a broad basis. But if more studies confirm that methylphenidate can reduce fall risk, that’s good news for a lot of seniors.
In the meantime, there are many drug-free things you can do to help reduce fall risk for yourself or a loved one:
- Remove throw rugs that can slip or bunch up and trip you.
- Install hand rails on stairs, in hallways, and in bathrooms.
- Wear rubber-soled shoes for good traction. Skip the high heels!
- Take it slow. Rushing can increase your chances of a fall.
- Work on your range of motion. The more flexible you are, the better your balance will be — and your chances of a fall will decrease.