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Development Of A Novel Intervention For Training Stepping Ability To Reduce The Risk Of Falls In Older Adults.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,393.00
Summary
Stepping is often the last protective option to prevent a fall. This study will first modify and validate an interactive system for training stepping ability in older adults. The system will be also provide the capability of acquiring indeices of stepping ability in the home. We will investigate the effect of an in-home training program using this system on stepping ability and falls risk. Findings will inform future interventions for preventing falls.
Impaired Stepping As A Risk Factor For Falls In Older People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,727.00
Summary
Stepping is often the last protective option to prevent a fall. This study will investigate stepping responses as a risk factor for falls. Complementary studies of physiological and psychological contributions to stepping will also be conducted. A path model will be used to examine the relative importance of physiological, psychological and behvioural factors. An exercise program to imrpove stepping responses will be trialed. Findings will inform future interventions for preventing falls.
Exercise Therapy For Prevention Of Falls In People With Parkinsons Disease: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,820.00
Summary
Despite optimal medication regimes, people with Parkinson's disease frequently and recurrently experience falls. Up to 68% of the 100,000 people living in Australia with Parkinson's disease fall every year and fall-related injuries are the most common reason why people with Parkinson's disease are admitted to hospital. This project will implement an exercise program targeting risk factors for falls and will determine the efficacy and the cost effectiveness of the program.
The Effects Of Mixing Alcohol And Prescription Drugs On Driving And Cognitive Performance: A Randomised Simulator Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,226.00
Summary
A large proportion of traffic accidents are linked to alcohol and prescription drug use. There is poor understanding of these drugs on driving performance, both alone and in combination with alcohol. This study examines the effects of commonly used prescription medications (diazepam and codeine) and alcohol, in combination, on driving-related skills and cognitive performance in healthy volunteers. The results of this study will inform future policy, and clinical and public health strategies.
The Relationship Between Fatigue, Sleepiness And Crash Risk While Driving
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,070.00
Summary
Driver fatigue is a major road safety problem that is currently managed by encouraging drivers to take breaks when they feel tired. Unfortunately we dont know whether drivers really are able to detect when they are too tired to drive safely or, if they can make this judgement, whether and what motivates them to stop driving. This research will look at driver awareness of fatigue effects and what indicators and motivators can be used to encourage them to respond to signs of impaired driving.
Risk Factors For Serious Farm-work Related Injury Among Adult Males
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,930.00
Summary
This study addresses occupational injury among male adult farm workers. The health and safety performance of agricultural industries is among the worst in Australia. A recently published study of work-related fatalities from 1989 to 1992 found that rural industries ranked third, with a fatality rate 3-4 times that for all industries. The rural industries accounted for 80 deaths annually. Best estimates place the cost of farm injury between $0.5 and $1.29 billion per year. This study is designed ....This study addresses occupational injury among male adult farm workers. The health and safety performance of agricultural industries is among the worst in Australia. A recently published study of work-related fatalities from 1989 to 1992 found that rural industries ranked third, with a fatality rate 3-4 times that for all industries. The rural industries accounted for 80 deaths annually. Best estimates place the cost of farm injury between $0.5 and $1.29 billion per year. This study is designed to contribute to farm injury prevention by: (1) identifying factors associated with a higher risk of serious injury among adult farm workers and (2) determining the proportions of the farm workforce who are exposed to various injury risks. The study will recruit 300 seriously injured or killed farm workers from regional Victoria and collect information about themselves, their working life and the property on which they work. This information will be compared with 600 randomly selected farm workers who are not seriously injured to determine which personal, work and environmental factors place farm workers at higher risk of injury. The study will lead to the development of new or more refined prevention strategies and programs. A study of this kind has not been conducted before in Australia and would contribute to a continuing scientific basis for selection of interventions for farm injury and targeting of prevention programs, at a time of increasing momentum in agricultural health and safety.Read moreRead less
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Multimedia Patient Education Approaches To Preventing In-hospital Falls
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,137.00
Summary
In hospital falls are one of the most frequently occurring adverse events in Australian hospitals. They are the cause of considerable patient morbidity, stress to family members and care givers, and health care resource use. However, there are many potential causes of in-hospital falls which has made minimising them a difficult task for hospitals around the country. Recent evidence has indicated that a patient intervention strategy is useful for preventing in-hospital falls as a part of a multi- ....In hospital falls are one of the most frequently occurring adverse events in Australian hospitals. They are the cause of considerable patient morbidity, stress to family members and care givers, and health care resource use. However, there are many potential causes of in-hospital falls which has made minimising them a difficult task for hospitals around the country. Recent evidence has indicated that a patient intervention strategy is useful for preventing in-hospital falls as a part of a multi-factorial falls prevention program. This research aims to investigate the effectiveness and economic benefit of two approaches to providing patient education for the prevention of in-hospital falls. Patients at high risk for falls will be recruited from the Princess Alexandra Hospital and be randomly allocated to either a DVD + 4 sessions of face-to-face education with an occupational therapist program, to a DVD alone education program, or to a usual care with no additional education control condition. Patients will be followed up until their discharge from hospital and the number of in-hospital falls they incur will be compared between groups. It is expected that both the DVD + 4 sessions of face-to-face education with an occupational therapist program, to a DVD alone education program will be effective in reducing falls and that the DVD alone education program will demonstrate the greater cost-effectiveness in reducing falls. Stemming from this research, it is anticipated that a cost-effective resource for preventing in-hospital falls will be developed and evaluated such that it can be used in hospitals Australia wide.Read moreRead less
Improving Adherence With The Use Of Hip Protectors, In Community, Residential Aged Care And Hospital Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,250.00
Summary
Hip protectors are plastic shields or foam pads worn over the hip in specially adapted underwear. A number of studies in older people have shown that hip protectors are very effective if worn when a fall occurs and these have been available for the last few years in Australia. Unfortunately it has been difficult for older people to wear the hip protectors reliably and because of limited compliance with their use they have not been fully effective. This study will compare provision of a brochure, ....Hip protectors are plastic shields or foam pads worn over the hip in specially adapted underwear. A number of studies in older people have shown that hip protectors are very effective if worn when a fall occurs and these have been available for the last few years in Australia. Unfortunately it has been difficult for older people to wear the hip protectors reliably and because of limited compliance with their use they have not been fully effective. This study will compare provision of a brochure, with supply of the older person's choice of hip protectors , with or without cost, and with or without contact with a nurse who will assist with use of the hip protector. After six months the level of use of the hip protectors will be checked. The new strategies tested in this study may increase compliance with hip protectors to a level where they will be effective if used at home in the community, in residential aged care facilities, and in hospitals.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Falls Prevention Trial Of Long Distance Glasses In Elderly Multifocal Wearers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,000.00
Summary
Each year, one-third to a half of people over 65 years old will fall at least once. The consequences of falls are immense in terms of suffering, loss of independence, fear of future falls, carer burden, mortality, residential care admissions and other health care resource usage. Clearly, effective and affordable falls prevention strategies are needed to address this major health care problem. Over 50% of people over 65 years old use bi-, tri- or multi-focal glasses. The lower part of these glass ....Each year, one-third to a half of people over 65 years old will fall at least once. The consequences of falls are immense in terms of suffering, loss of independence, fear of future falls, carer burden, mortality, residential care admissions and other health care resource usage. Clearly, effective and affordable falls prevention strategies are needed to address this major health care problem. Over 50% of people over 65 years old use bi-, tri- or multi-focal glasses. The lower part of these glasses are useful for reading and seeing at close range only and there is now evidence that the use of these glasses is associated with an increased risk of falls due to the blurring of vision when looking through the lower lenses at ground level obstacles. This is particularly relevant in unfamiliar outdoor situations. This study will determine whether providing plain distance glasses (with extensive counselling and recommendations for use in standing and walking activities) will prevent falls and their consequences over a one year period in older persons who wear bi-, tri- or multi-focal glasses. Pilot studies suggest that most elderly bi-, tri-, or multi-focal wearers at risk for falls are willing to purchase and use a second pair of glasses if the benefit of new plain distance glasses for their vision is demonstrated. We expect that the results of the study will be incorporated into all relevant areas of clinical practice and public health strategies.Read moreRead less