Posters for 3rd World Falls Congress 2026

Introduction Reduced stepping performance is a key modifiable risk factor for falls in older adults with dementia. While step training is effective in healthy older populations, its feasibility and efficacy have not been established for individuals with dementia. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and potential effects of a step training program in a preliminary sample of community-dwelling older adults with mild dementia. Methods In this pre-post intervention study, 31 older adults with mild dementia participated in a structured step training program (2 times per week, 30-min

Background: Falls pose a considerable public health threat driven by population ageing and causing a substantial health burden among adults aged 65 and over. However, there is still limited evidence on the population-based costs caused by falls. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the incremental healthcare cost of falls among older adults in Belgium. Methods: Data from the Belgian health interview surveys (BHIS) and the Inter Mutualistic Agency (IMA) were used. The BHIS included a population-based sample of the Belgian population and provides information on health status, healthcare use

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-administered balance and gait assessments, conducted using a guiding smartphone application, in distinguishing recurrent fallers from non-fallers. Method Thirty-nine older adults (mean age=71.1±5.7 years; recurrent fallers=17, non-fallers=22) independently completed 30-second feet-together and tandem standing tests, as well as a 6-minute walking assessment, using the smartphone application. Participants performed the tests twice in the laboratory and twice at home, wearing the smartphone on their waist during all assessments

Falls are a major cause of injury and disabilityamong older adults. People with cardiovascular disease (CVD) areat higher risk of falling. Rural areas in China face challenges in fallprevention due to limited resources. Village doctors may play a key role in deliveringfeasible, low-cost interventions.

Background: Gait speed is included in the World Falls Guidelines (WFG) fall risk algorithm, yet its ability to discriminate fallers from non-fallers remains unclear. This individual participant data meta-analysis examined the discriminative ability of the WFG-recommended cut point (<0.8m/s) and the performance of a higher cut point (<1.0m/s) for predicting falls in community-dwelling older adults and clinical populations. Methods: Individual data from 28 studies with a quantitative measure of gait speed and at least three months of prospectively reported falls were analysed using modified

ABSTRACT Introduction Falls and fall-induced injury are major public health concerns. In Chinese rural older adults, physical activity (PA) levels correlate with falls, but with varying effects. This study examined the effects of a fall prevention intervention, primarily consisted of balance and functional exercises, on falls and fall-induced injury among rural Chinese older adults with various PA levels. Methods This post-hoc analysis was based on the FAMILY cluster randomized trial in 128 rural Chinese villages. The intervention group received balance and functional exercises with community

Introduction Falls are a major public health concern in ageing populations. Older adults with multiple long-term conditions are especially vulnerable to falls because of complex and overlapping health needs. We evaluated the effects of a primary care–integrated fall-prevention program on falls among rural Chinese older adults with multiple long-term conditions. Methods This secondary analysis was based on the FAMILY trial, an open-label, cluster randomized controlled trial conducted in 128 rural villages in China. Community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older with a history of falls or

Background Exercise participation is central to fall prevention in older adults, yet readiness to engage in exercise programs may be influenced by health and psychosocial factors beyond falls history alone. Understanding these influences is essential for designing effective, person-centered community interventions. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among community-dwelling older adults attending activity centers in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Readiness to participate in exercise programs was assessed using the six dimensions of the Community Readiness Model framework and analysed

Introduction Falls are frequent amongst people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP), and increase as disease progresses. Exercise can reduce falls, but rates remain high and exercise alone is ineffective in people with more advanced disease. Personalised multidomain fall prevention programs delivered by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians may be more effective. This study explored the acceptability of a multidomain fall prevention program ( Integrate) for PwP who fell recurrently and their care-partners, and factors influencing engagement. Methods This qualitative study used inductive thematic

Introduction Adequate analgesia prescribing is essential in older inpatients with femoral fractures to improve patient care, reduce delirium and to shorten hospital admission duration with their associated complications. Current NICE analgesia guidelines for femoral fractures suggest regular paracetamol with offering additional opioids if required. These guidelines were amended at Hereford County Hospital to recommend that patients should receive 5 days of regular prolonged release opioids due to the practical limitations of inpatients not receiving adequate quantities of as required opioids

Introduction People with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) fall more often than the general older population. Exercise can reduce falls in those with mild to moderate disease but may increase falls as the disease progresses. Additionally, most non-pharmacological fall prevention trials have focused on those with mild to moderate disease and excluded PwP with cognitive impairment. This pilot study examined the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a multidomain fall prevention program ( Integrate) for PwP with recurrent falls, including those with cognitive impairment. Methods A single group study

1. Introduction Simulation-based education is increasingly recognised as an effective method for achieving meaningful clinical learning. High-fidelity simulation offers a safe, immersive environment in which learners can integrate knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning. Applying simulation principles to falls assessment allows final-year undergraduate medical students on a geriatric medicine rotation to explore the multifactorial nature of falls and practice a structured, comprehensive approach to assessment in older adults. 2. Method Anonymous feedback surveys were distributed to evaluate

Introduction: As the global population ages, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have gained increasing importance for improving recovery, pain control, and reducing surgical morbidity. However, their impact on spinal surgery in the frail and elderly population remains limited. Method: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane were systematically searched for studies comparing ERAS protocol with conventional care in elderly spinal surgery before June 2025. For dichotomous outcomes, pooled relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported; mean differences (MD) and 95

Introduction The 2022 the National Audit of Inpatient Falls report suggested that “falls are the most frequently reported incident affecting hospital inpatients” with nearly a quarter of a million inpatient falls occurring each year in English hospitals. (RCP 2022) Our local departments had identified variable completion in post-fall assessment, as well as confidence and training amongst nursing and medical teams. This multi-cycle, multi-intervention project initially started in our primary site. Using spread & scale we have worked collaboratively with our colleagues in Community and Tertiary

Introduction: Despite well-defined evidence for fall prevention (FP), fall rates and consequences among older adults remain largely unchanged. Historically, knowledge users (KUs; older adults, caregivers, clinicians) have had limited involvement in research informing FP efforts. Identifying consensus-derived priorities to guide future research that are grounded in KUs lived experience may help bridge this evidence–practice gap. Accordingly, we aim to generate national fall-prevention research priorities for community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A modified James Lind Alliance Priority

Introduction: Females experience greater rates of fall-related hospitalizations, while males delay accessing fall-related medical care which can exacerbate complications. There is limited sex disaggregated falls and healthcare cost data for older Canadian adults. Our objective was to examine sex differences in the frequency of falls and healthcare costs among older adults with a history of falls receiving care from a Geriatrician-Led Falls Prevention Clinic in Vancouver, Canada. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a 12-month randomized controlled trial of 344 participants (229

1. Introduction Cancer and its treatments can increase falls risk in older adults due to fatigue, neuropathy, and muscle weakness (Guerard et al., 2015). The Senior Adult Oncology (SAO) service at The Christie provides Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and personalised interventions to this population. This audit evaluates SAO compliance with NICE Falls prevention guidelines (2025) for community‑dwelling older adults. Key aims include routine falls screening, delivery of a Comprehensive Falls Assessment (CFA) where indicated, and personalised interventions. The project aligns with the

Introduction Older adults admitted with falls are at high risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. National guidance (NICE CG146 and NOGG recommendations) recommends fracture risk assessment (e.g. FRAX) and bone health protection plans. This audit aimed to evaluate adherence to guideline-recommended assessment and management of bone health in older adults admitted with falls and no acute fractures. Method A retrospective audit was conducted across five geriatric wards in a UK district general hospital. Patients aged ≥65 years admitted with falls and no acute fractures were included. Data

Introduction NICE Guidance 249 (2025) acknowledges that there is little evidence of the efficacy of most fall prevention methods in hospital. A recent systematic review and the world falls guidelines considered the evidence of assistive device technology in hospital fall prevention practices, reporting no significant effects on the rate of falls. A previous systematic review of interventional studies suggested wide variance in reporting making reported outcomes difficult to synthesise. This leaves clinical staff with uncertainty and limited options to prevent falls. Method This multicentre

Introduction There is little evidence supporting the efficacy of most fall prevention interventions in hospitals. Current interventions rely on education of patients, which has limited use for those with cognitive impairment. Technology has the potential to support the prevention of accidental inpatient falls (AIF) but results from prior studies are inconclusive. This study aimed to gain insights from healthcare professionals (HCPs) about managing AIF in secondary care. Method A multi-site, qualitative, simulation study with HCPs was implemented to explore their experiences of AIF. Purposive