Falls Prevention Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 3 Issue 5

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Falls awareness week 2013

Source: Age UK website

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Date of publication: 2013

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: Falls can be a serious problem for older people, as well as their carers. To raise the profile of this problem, there is an annual falls awareness week in June, this year running 17^th-21^st June. This year’s focuses on the topic of healthy feet. Local events are held around the country, as well as information packs being available to people.

Length of publication: 1 page

Changes in fall prevention policies in hospitals

Source: Age and Ageing, 2013, 42 (1) p. 106-109

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Date of publication: January 2013

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: In 2007, the National Patient Safety Agency published two pieces of information aimed at reducing falls risk. This study aimed to identify changes directly resulting from these publications. Several Trusts instituted a falls prevention policy and/or a bedrail policy, and falls risk assessments began to be evidence based rather than unreferenced. These changes in policy were likely to be influenced by the NPSA publications, but also by publications brought out by agencies such as the Royal College of Physicians and the Medicine and Healthcare products’ Regulatory Agency. Further improvements are still required.

Length of publication: 3 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

The association between osteoporosis and postural balance in menopausal women

Source: Gait and Posture, online

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Date of publication: January 2013

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The incidence of osteoporosis and fractures from falls have both been increasing, which led to postural balance being tested in post-menopausal women, aged between 55 and 65, with and without lumbar osteoporosis. The women were split into two groups, one containing those with osteoporosis and the control group without. Little difference was found between the two groups, showing that postmenopausal women show no changes in postural balance regardless of lumbar osteoporosis.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Gait disorders in Parkinson’s disease: Assessment and Management

Source: International Journal of Gerontology, online 2013

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Date of publication: April 2013

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Gait disorder is one of the main features of Parkinson’s disease and is a major cause of morbidity in the elderly. Wireless monitoring systems have recently become good for collecting data over the longer term outside of the laboratory, which means that abnormal gaits can be more easily identified. This aids in indicating advanced stages of disease, which can be a precursor for falls and injuries. Preventions such as assistive devices can prevent falls. A multi-disciplinary team approach is therefore essential when treating elderly people with Parkinson’s.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Emerging concept: ‘central benefit model’ of exercise in falls prevention

Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013, 47 (2) p. 115-117

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Date of publication: January 2013

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falls are the third leading cause of chronic disability worldwide, and are not random events. They occur, at least in part, due to impaired balance or cognitive processes. There is evidence that targeting exercise is an effective intervention, the accepted dogma behind this being that improved physical function, balance and muscle strength underlies the effectiveness of the exercise in reducing falls. However, findings from RCTs suggest that exercise reduces falls via mechanisms other than improved physiological function: cognitive (eg executive) functions may be an important mechanism by which exercise reduces falls.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

New website for maximising take-up of effective falls prevention interventions

Source: Profound website

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Date of publication: May 2013

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: Profound is a new EC funded initiative aiming to disseminate and implement best practice in falls prevention across Europe. Profound has 8 work packages with clearly defined aims, objectives and deliverables.

Length of publication: 1 page

Functional improvement in older adults after a pilot study

Source: The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2013, 1 (2)

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Date of publication: February 2013

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This pilot study saw six elderly men and women participating in a six week exercise and education programme created to reduce the risk of falls. Evaluations were made at the beginning and end of the pilot to test functioning physical status, balance, distance walked in 6 minutes and physical quality of life. The evidence obtained warrants a larger follow-up study.

Length of publication: 12 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.