Vitamin D, Bone Loss, Fracture And Mortality Outcome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,736.00
Summary
Vitamin D most commonly from sunlight exposure is considered an important determinant of health, including the liability to falls and fractures; not only in the elderly but in adulthood in general. This study aims to distinguish if low vitamin D levels cause adverse health outcomes or relate to ill health, limited sunlight exposure and nutritional change. Only if low vitamin D level is causative of ill health does replacement make good public health sense.
Dynamic Postural Stability And Falls Prediction In Older People During Walking In Real-world Environments.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$680,793.00
Summary
The increased occurrence of falls with advancing age (33-50% of people aged >65 years) is a significant cause of mortality (1014 deaths in 1998), morbidity, and disability, affecting not only the individuals concerned, but the health care system (45,069 fall related hospitalizations in 1998 in Australia) and the broader community (National falls Prevention Initiative, 2004). Although there are a number of falls risk tests, most rely on determination of body sway while standing when the body i ....The increased occurrence of falls with advancing age (33-50% of people aged >65 years) is a significant cause of mortality (1014 deaths in 1998), morbidity, and disability, affecting not only the individuals concerned, but the health care system (45,069 fall related hospitalizations in 1998 in Australia) and the broader community (National falls Prevention Initiative, 2004). Although there are a number of falls risk tests, most rely on determination of body sway while standing when the body is static rather than in motion. Given that up to 70% of falls occur during walking and performing transfers, there is a clear need to develop tests of falls risk prediction that incorporate indices of postural stability measured during more dynamic activities. Test development needs to be underpinned by clear evidence of how age-related sensory and motor deficits affect postural stability during walking. The studies outlined in this application will develop and utilise new accelerometer-based technologies to determine the fundamental mechanisms underlying balance control during walking in older people. Specifically, this project will aim to develop a clear understanding of how changes in factors as vision, neuromuscular function (strength, stiffness) and proprioception contribute to the overall decline in stability and balance during walking in older people. Combined with physiological assessment measures developed by the research team, the research will allow the development of a more definitive predictive test of stability and falls risk. This test will be able to be used by health professionals for assessment of older people to determine the most effective therapeutic and-or exercise interventions to target those individuals at risk. This technology will also be adaptable to a biofeedback device to allow individuals to monitor their own stability.Read moreRead less
A reduced capacity to recover balance following an imbalance episode contributes to the high incidence of falls in older adults. The goal of the present study is to determine how age-related differences in lower extremity neuromuscular and biomechanical properties are related to balance recovery capacity and falls incidence. A detailed understanding of this relationship is necessary for the development of efficacious exercise-based interventions for the prevention of falls.
Understanding And Predicting Freezing Of Gait In Parkinson's Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,580.00
Summary
Freezing of Gait (FOG) affects half of all patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) with episodes causing the feet to feel glued to the ground leading to a significant falls risk. The mechanisms underlying FOG are not well understood and current treatments are usually ineffective. Combining brain wave recording, eye-tracking and functional brain scanning we will identify the changes that precipitate an episode of FOG allowing the development of a non-invasive device to prevent falls.
Can Real-time Biofeedback Of Foot Clearance Data Be Used To Assist With Gait Rehabilitation Following Stroke?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,143.00
Summary
A new intervention for falls-risk minimization is proposed by providing additional visual sensory information to increase foot-ground clearance in order to walk more safely.A randomised controlled trial will be employed to assess the effects of biofeedback on foot-ground clearance during gait training. The outcome will be innovative biofeedback-based gait training that could significantly enhance existing stroke rehabilitation programs.
Fall Surveillance: Evaluation Of Patients, Practitioners, And Health Data Sources
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,680.00
Summary
In Queensland falls account for the highest proportion of injury-related death and hospitalisation among older people. The project aims to provide a comprehensive picture of falls and related injuries in Queensland and assess the possibilities of linking a range of injury-related data sources in primary and acute care. It is anticipated that harmonisation of data collection practices would facilitate greater understanding of falls and inform improved prevention practices and health outcomes.
Fall Prevention And Physical Activity Promotion For Older Adults: Cluster Trial Of Effectiveness And Cost-effectiveness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,291,950.00
Summary
This cluster randomised controlled trial will establish the impact on physical activity and falls of an intervention program that targets both physical activity and falls using assessment, advice and health coaching. The trial will involve 60 established groups of older people, recruited from local chapters of community organisations including Probus, the Older Women’s Network, registered clubs and church groups (estimated average group size of 10; total n = 600).
Whole Body Vibration For Osteoporosis: Shaking Up Our Treatment Options
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$961,017.00
Summary
Our aim is to examine the ability of vibration alone and in combination with osteoporosis drugs to reduce hip fracture in postmenopausal women. In Australia, 1 in 2 women >60yrs, will sustain an osteoporotic fracture. Only drugs notably decrease fracture; however none are entirely effective and some patients don’t respond. Whole body vibration has emerged as a potentially effective therapy. A combination of vibration and drugs may enhance the effects of both and revolutionise treatment.
Evidence Based Targeting Of Statewide Strategies For Preventing Falls Among Community Dwelling Older People In Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,724.00
Summary
Falls are a significant threat to the safety, health and independence of our older citizens. The aim of this project is to enable a more effective policy response to the falls prevention challenge in Victoria. The proposed research is designed to under-pin a re-orientation and evaluation of the Department of Human Services’ falls prevention program by facilitating improved targeting of effective interventions, taking older peoples’ preferences into account and working with community agencies
The BEST At Home Pragmatic Fall Prevention Program: Effectiveness, Cost Effectiveness And Implementation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,386,133.00
Summary
Falls are a major public health issue with enormous personal, social and economic consequences. Certain types of exercise can prevent falls, however new strategies are needed to implement these programs more effectively to maximise uptake and adherence by older people. Researchers in fall prevention and health promotion are partnering with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to evaluate the fall prevention effect of the Otago Exercise Programme when implemented in a group-based worksh ....Falls are a major public health issue with enormous personal, social and economic consequences. Certain types of exercise can prevent falls, however new strategies are needed to implement these programs more effectively to maximise uptake and adherence by older people. Researchers in fall prevention and health promotion are partnering with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to evaluate the fall prevention effect of the Otago Exercise Programme when implemented in a group-based workshop format for older community-dwelling people.Read moreRead less