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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
Multisensory Determinants Of Postural Instability And Falls In Older Adults; Prevention And Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
With an increased longevity of the population, age-related health problems, such as falls, are a significant socioeconomic issue to be addressed. Many sensory systems (e.g. vision, hearing, balance) are known to gradually become disrupted as a consequence of ageing. This project will investigate the consequences of declining sensory systems for balance control in older adults and to develop technology to prevents falls in them.
A Computer-aided Diagnosis System For Gait Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$333,379.00
Summary
Gait analysis provides detailed information on how a patient walks to help orthopaedic surgeons decide on surgical treatments. However, gait analysis requires long and specific training and expertise in gait analysis is not widely available which restricts its benefits to the community. We will build the first computer-aided diagnosis system from renowned experts from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne to assist clinicians interpreting gait analysis data nationally and internationally.
Improving Postural Stability In People With Parkinson's Disease Using Textured Insoles.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$968,538.00
Summary
Falls are a major health and injury problem for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study we propose to undertake a randomised control trial to determine the efficacy of textured insoles to improve postural stability and reduce falls risk in people with Parkinson’s disease. The success of such an inexpensive device would result in improved health outcomes for individuals and large savings in health care through a reduction in fall-related injuries.
Brain Ageing – Understanding The Relationships Between Brain Structure, Gait, Cognition And Falls
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$184,768.00
Summary
This fellowship will support novel population-based research directed at understanding how the ageing brain is associated with cognition and the control of gait in older people, and whether early gait changes are able to predict serious adverse outcomes such as future dementia and falls. A better understanding of the relationship between the brain, cognition and mobility is crucial in the step towards successful ageing of older Australians.
Falls Prevention For Stroke Patients Following Discharge Home: Contributory Factors And A Randomised Trial Intervention.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$549,440.00
Summary
Falls are common after stroke, with over 50% of people being discharged home from hospital after stroke experiencing one or more falls in the subsequent six months. Despite a large focus on falls prevention in the community generally, and increasing research that a range of activities (such as exercise, medication review, home hazard modification) are effective in reducing falls among older people generally, there have been no randomised trials evaluating the effectiveness of falls prevention ac ....Falls are common after stroke, with over 50% of people being discharged home from hospital after stroke experiencing one or more falls in the subsequent six months. Despite a large focus on falls prevention in the community generally, and increasing research that a range of activities (such as exercise, medication review, home hazard modification) are effective in reducing falls among older people generally, there have been no randomised trials evaluating the effectiveness of falls prevention activities for people with stroke. This research will evaluate whether a detailed assessment and program of falls prevention activities (exercise, falls prevention information, bone strength recommendations, and other activities based on the assessment findings) will reduce falls in stroke patients with increased risk of falling. Two additional issues associated with falls among people with stroke will also be investigated. Detailed analysis of walking and stepping over obstacles will be evaluated to determine long term problems which might increase the risk of falling, and the effect of the falls prevention program will also be evaluated on the walking and stepping over the obstacle tasks. A third study will investigate the development of fear of falling firstly as a result of the stroke and resultant walking difficulties, and then how this changes when a fall occurs. The interaction between falls, fear of falling, and reduced activity and walking will be explored. The outcomes of this project will improve the understanding by health professionals of key factors contributing to increased risk of falling following stroke, and provide clear direction and resources for general application of the program in other stroke rehabilitation programs nationally. The main anticipated outcome is 33% reduction in falls, and improved balance, walking, and confidence for people returning home after stroke.Read moreRead less
Substantial portions of the Australian population have some difficulty walking. People affected include children with cerebral palsy, people who've had injuries playing sport and older people with Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis or who have had a stroke. The cost of managing arthritic conditions alone was estimated at $2.2 Billion for 2001. Gait analysis uses high technology video cameras, force transducers, muscle activity sensors and computers to record how people walk and is now being use ....Substantial portions of the Australian population have some difficulty walking. People affected include children with cerebral palsy, people who've had injuries playing sport and older people with Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis or who have had a stroke. The cost of managing arthritic conditions alone was estimated at $2.2 Billion for 2001. Gait analysis uses high technology video cameras, force transducers, muscle activity sensors and computers to record how people walk and is now being used more and more commonly across Australia. The technology is very similar to that now being used to capture how people move for the movie industry. The technology allows us a better understanding of how people are moving and therefore of what treatments they are likely to benefit from. Melbourne now has four Gait Analysis facilities working with different patient groups and each with an international reputation for its work. These groups have combined to form the CCRE in Gait Analysis and Gait Rehabilitation under the leadership of Professor H Kerr Graham (Royal Children's Hospital) and Professor Bob Iansek (Kingston Centre, Southern Health).Read moreRead less
Training Dual Task Performance During Gait In Parkinson Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,980.00
Summary
Difficulty performing more than one task at a time is a common and disabling problem experienced by people with Parkinson's Disease (PD), a progressive neurological condition that affects the ability of people to perform well-learned movements like walking with normal speed and size. This research will investigate how to best train people with PD to dual-task when walking. Teaching people with PD how to dual task will enhance their everyday activities and has potential to reduce falls incidence.
Targeted Strength Training To Improve Functional Walking Capacity Of Adolescents And Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,449.00
Summary
Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of disability in children. Caused by damage to the brain in early childhood cerebral palsy leads to muscle weakness and difficulties in walking. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but we can help the weak muscles . The purpose of this trial is to establish that exercises to strengthen the weakest muscles will help the walking ability of teenagers and young adults with cerebral palsy, as they make the transition to independence and adulthood.
NaviGAIT: New Software To Simplify Interpretation Of Gait Analysis Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,905.00
Summary
NaviGAIT is a new software package to support interpretation of gait analysis data. It is based upon Gait Profiling, a new technique to reduce the complexity of such data. At present data intepretation is restricted to a few expert clinicians. The new software will allow non-expert clinicians to interpret data and hence make gait analysis more accessible, cheaper and more clincally useful. A module of NaviGAIT specifically for children with cerebral palsy will be the first to be developed.