Effect of Vitamin K2 on Postural Sway in Older People Who Fall: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES Vitamin K is thought to be involved in both bone health and maintenance of neuromuscular function. We tested the effect of vitamin K2 supplementation on postural sway, falls, healthcare costs, and indices of physical function in older people at risk of falls. DESIGN Parallel‐group double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trial. SETTING Fourteen primary care practices in Scotland, UK. PARTICIPANTS A total of 95 community‐dwelling participants aged 65 and older with at least two falls, or one injurious fall, in the previous year. INTERVENTION Once/day placebo, 200 μg or 400 μg of oral vitamin K2 for 1 year. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome was anteroposterior sway measured using sway plates at 12 months, adjusted for baseline. Secondary outcomes included the Short Physical Performance Battery, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go Test, quality of life, health and social care costs, falls, and adverse events. RESULTS Mean participant age was 75 (standard deviation [SD] = 7) years. Overall, 58 of 95 (61%) were female; 77 of 95 (81%) attended the 12‐month visit. No significant effect of either vitamin K2 dose was seen on the primary outcome of anteroposterior sway (200 μg vs placebo: −.19 cm [95% confidence interval [CI] −.68 to .30; P = .44]; 400 μg vs placebo: .17 cm [95% CI −.33 to .66; P = .50]; or 400 μg vs 200 μg: .36 cm [95% CI −.11 to .83; P = .14]). Adjusted falls rates were similar in each group. No significant treatment effects were seen for other measures of sway or secondary outcomes. Costs were higher in both vitamin K2 arms than in the placebo arm. CONCLUSION Oral vitamin K2 supplementation did not improve postural sway or physical function in older people at risk of falls. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2102–2107, 2019