Please complete our survey to tell us what you think of our product, it should take no more than 5 minutes. If you have any questions about the Horizon Scanning bulletins, please contact library.services@mhsc.nhs.uk.
Falls awareness week 2013
16/05/2013Source: Age UK website
Follow this link for information
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 17th-21st 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
16/05/2013Source: Age and Ageing, 2013, 42 (1) p. 106-109
Follow this link for abstract
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
16/05/2013Source: Gait and Posture, online
Follow this link for abstract
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
16/05/2013Source: International Journal of Gerontology, online 2013
Follow this link for abstract
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
16/05/2013Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013, 47 (2) p. 115-117
Follow this link for abstract
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
16/05/2013Source: Profound website
Follow this link for more information
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
16/05/2013Source: The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2013, 1 (2)
Follow this link for abstract
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.