The balance and gait characteristics of fallers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Longitudinal study of balance and gait of fallers and the effectiveness and experience of falls prevention training
IRAS ID
145209
Contact name
Matthew JD Taylor
Contact email
Research summary
The consequence of falling can be physically and psychologically debilitating (even resulting in death). Balance and gait impairments in older people increase the risk of falls, which are the leading cause of accidental death and injury related admission to emergency departments. Participants who are recurrent fallers are often referred to falls prevention training. The training at Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust (CHUFT) lasts for 10 weeks and incorporates common physiotherapy techniques that aim to improve balance, mobility, and educate recovery from the instance of a fall. However it is not known if the effects of training are maintained once training has ceased. The literature has reported follow-ups (number of falls) after training but actual training sessions used in a clinical setting do not run for as long and as frequently as that reported in much of the literature. Therefore the purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of falls prevention training, carried out in a clinical setting, by measuring the balance, gait and functional movement, and recording the number of falls, pre- and post-training and then again at 3 and 6 months post-training. Qualitative interviews will explore the experiences of those undertaking the training.
The research project will last 12 months. The findings will be disseminated through newsletters to the participants and physiotherapy staff, at conferences and in peer reviewed scientific journals.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1277
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion