Posters for 3rd World Falls Congress 2026

Introduction People with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) are at significantly increased risk of falling due to gait and balance impairments. Notably, reactive balance, which is essential for adequate motor responses to external perturbations, is particularly affected in this population. Perturbation-based balance training (PBT) specifically addresses this issue and has been shown to reduce fall rates by up to 50% in fall-prone older adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of treadmill-based PBT in PwPD. Method In this randomized controlled trial, 90 PwPD (40

At least 60% of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) will fall every year and nearly 70% fall recurrently, many as often as several times a day or week. Identifying those most at risk for recurrent falls is key to improving tailored fall prevention interventions for people with PD. This study investigated the relationship between recurrent falls, clinical characteristics, and PD subtypes using a novel PD subtyping scheme. Participants from the WashU Movement Disorders Research Group with idiopathic PD, at least one complete fall report, and a Clinical Dementia Rating < 1 at baseline were

INTRODUCTION: The NHS 10-year plan ethos is providing care that is fit for the future. Healthcare interventions delivered in the community offer an opportunity for health equity that can lead to sustainable social change, delivering an outward-facing approach and community-centred care. More work is needed to develop tailored healthcare interventions suitable for ethnic minorities to effectively address their needs. This review is component one of a wider PhD study that aimed to develop and establish principles for delivering health interventions to ethnic minorities in the community using

Background: Malaysia is projected to become an aged nation by 2030, with adults aged ≥60 years comprising approximately 15.3% of the population. As population ageing accelerates, primary care must address age-related conditions, including falls, which are a major cause of morbidity and functional decline among older adults. Recurrent falls represent a key opportunity for prevention, as they reflect underlying, modifiable risk factors. In Kuala Lumpur primary healthcare clinic, we assess the risks of fall and manage it with a multidisciplinary team comprising of staff nurses, medical assistants

Introduction: We designed the PaddleTrip treadmill, equipped with rotating paddles, to induce trip-like perturbations. This study aimed to determine whether this PaddleTrip treadmill can generate realistic obstacle‑induced trips. Methods: Twenty healthy adults (38.3 ± 16.7 years; range: 21–72) fitted with a fall-arrest harness completed three walking‑perturbation conditions in random order: (A) PaddleTrip treadmill, (B) 8‑m walkway with two concealed trip boards, and (C) surface‑perturbation treadmill (12 m/s²; M‑Gait). The PaddleTrip treadmill and walkway condition included four trips

Introduction Falls are a major cause to injuries, loss of independence and healthcare costs for older adults globally. An Australian study identified less than 8% of clients eligible for a 12 week education and exercise falls prevention program participate. The aim of this research was to describe the perspectives of clients, carers and staff on the barriers and enablers to participating in the community falls prevention program; to identify changes to the current model of care in order to improve participation rates. Methods A co-design methodology was used which involved consumer chief

Introduction: The emergency department (ED) is often the first point of contact with the health system following a fall. After an ED visit for a fall, many will experience subsequent falls and revisit the ED. Although guidelines recommend that ED health care professionals assess fall risk and initiate actions to prevent future falls, there remains substantial uncertainty about the effectiveness of interventions for preventing falls among people who present to the ED. Therefore, we aim to assess the effects of interventions designed to reduce falls in adults and older adults who present to the

Background Falls and fall-related injuries are a common healthcare concern, particularly among patients over the age of 65³. It is estimated that nearly one million patients fall during hospitalization worldwide each year. Of those who fall, 25–30% sustain injuries², and 4–10% suffer serious harm²,⁵. Conducting an individualized assessment enables the application of the most appropriate, evidence-based prevention strategies tailored to each patient¹,⁶. An internal review of patient falls at North Estonia Medical Centre in 2023 showed that preventive actions were not systematically tailored to

Introduction: Falls in hospital can be reduced through education of patients and staff. However, limited evidence exists on how staff can systematically implement patient falls prevention education. Planning implementation with hospital staff may enhance their acceptance, engagement, and delivery of falls education to patients. This study aimed to design an implementation plan with hospital staff to guide the successful delivery of patient falls education. Method: Three participatory workshops using a World Café methodology were conducted in hospitals in Western Australia and Victoria. Staff

Introduction Falls in hospital are a serious risk to older patient recovery. Patient education programs that provide falls prevention advice are recommended. Obtaining perspectives of older adults about implementing these programs could improve how health professionals engage with hospital patients to educate them and increase patient enactment of falls prevention advice. Method Two forums, in two states of Australia were conducted using a modified World Café methodology. Older consumers who had previous admissions to hospital, shared their perspectives on three conversation topics: (i)

Introduction Avoiding a fall after an unexpected slip or a trip requires rapid reactive balance responses, which may be trained via perturbation balance training (PBT). However, PBT protocols vary and their effectiveness is unclear. This umbrella review explored whether PBT, compared to no or conventional balance training (CBT), is effective in reducing falls risk. Methods Systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses were searched in CINAHL, MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane database, and Google Scholar and screened by two reviewers. AMSTAR2 was used for quality assessment

Introduction Following the NICE head injury guideline update in 2023, the Older Persons Same Day Emergency Care Unit (OSDEC) at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust updated the admission criteria to include older people (>85 years or >75 years with Parkinson’s Disease) presenting with fall and head injury (without any other significant trauma) on anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications (excluding aspirin monotherapy). Older people are admitted directly to OSDEC from ambulance/community services or are admitted from the Emergency Department (ED). This service evaluation aims to

Introduction Fragility fractures cause pain, mobility problems and negatively impact on people’s quality of life. Hip fractures have a high mortality rate, with 20% of people dying within 1 year after surgery. Falls increase the risk of fragility fractures. NICE and the National Osteoporosis Group Guidelines recommend a bone health assessment be undertaken in people with a history of falls. The FRAX tool is an easy to use tool to predict osteoporosis risk and guide treatment. Our quality improvement project aimed to improve the number of people having an assessment their bone health when

Introduction Economic evidence is essential for guiding decisions on the implementation and scaling of fall prevention strategies. This project aimed to develop and test a system dynamics model to project the health and economic impact of fall prevention initiatives for Australians aged 50 and over in community and residential aged care settings, over the period 2024–2035. Method We updated and expanded an existing system dynamics model of osteoporosis and related health and economic impact in Australia which was originally developed through a participatory approach involving a 32-member

Compliance with Fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX®) assessment in patients presenting with falls and admitted via acute medical take: a baseline audit in a UK district general hospital Background: Falls are a major risk factor for fragility fractures. The National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) recommends fracture risk assessment using FRAX® in eligible patients; however, compliance with this recommendation in routine clinical practice is uncertain Aim: To assess compliance with FRAX® fracture risk assessment in eligible patients admitted following falls. Methods: A retrospective audit

Introduction The BGS recently published ‘Pragmatic prescribing to reduce harm for older people with moderate to severe frailty’ endorsed by RCP, RCGP and RPS. This guidance provides a blood pressure target of 140 – 160 mmHg in patients with a CFS of ≥6. This is more lenient than standard guidelines, acknowledging the risk of overtreatment; a consideration which has not been previously incorporated in conventional blood pressure targets. To integrate this guideline into local prescribers’ practice, translating theory into benefit for our patients, we undertook a quality improvement project

Introduction: Balance control relies on cognition. Studies have found that cognitive resources are more likely to be depleted during complex balance tasks, whereas meditation may aid their replenishment. However, existing research has focused on task complexity rather than intensity. This study addressed this by using the validated 100-point Balance Intensity Scale-Therapist (BIS-T) to objectively define low (<30/100) and high (>70/100) intensity balance tasks. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and methodological rigour of the protocol to investigate 1) cognitive resources

Introduction: Vasovagal syncope is a common condition among older adults and can result in fall-related injuries. The symptoms of vasovagal episodes can be recognised by patients and reduced through self-management strategies. Therefore, increasing patient and family/carer education surrounding this condition could help reduce falls and ultimately reduce hospital admissions. The aim of this QIP was to assess doctors existing practises regarding patients presenting with falls due to vasovagal syncope, patient education, and assessing whether a leaflet providing further information would be

Introduction Older adults with mobility impairment are at increased risk of falls, often accompanied by fear of falling, frailty, and reduced independence. Within Chiltern Hills Primary Care Network (PCN), a strategic priority is to support older patients with mobility difficulties to reduce falls risk, prevent frailty, and improve overall wellbeing. In 2024, we introduced the GaitSmart digital gait assessment solution to proactively identify and address mobility decline before falls occur or health significantly deteriorates. Methods One Care Coordinator was trained to deliver the GaitSmart

Introduction Our Falls Service utilises an open referral pathway providing rapid access to multi-factorial assessment. Restrictive eligibility criteria, such as falls history, may limit opportunities for earlier identification of risk factors. Evidence and clinical experience indicate that individuals without previous falls can still benefit from comprehensive assessment. Community-based assessments facilitate identification and management of falls risk, incidental findings, delivery of tailored education, advice and appropriate onward referrals. This evaluation examines the clinical value