Posters

Introduction: Gait variability is a crucial indicator for dynamic stability and fall risk. However, inherent sensitivity to outliers can compromise measurement reliability of standard variability metrics like the Coefficient of Variation (CV), especially when applied to the "messy," non-normal data in free-living environments. The objective of the study is to validate a robust, non-parametric alternative — the Robust Coefficient of Variation using Median Absolute Deviation (RCV-MAD) — to ensure clinically reliable remote monitoring. Methods: We analysed datasets collected in controlled lab

Introduction The GRACE initiative was a pilot designed to enhance inpatient experience of older adults. Proportionate moving and handling techniques were introduced as well as increasing the number of therapy staff on a ward reducing reliance on multiple staff for routine ward care. We aimed to improve patients’ functional independence and prevent deconditioning. Methods A ward of 26 patients was chosen with a control comparison and nursing staff were upskilled in proportionate manual handling. For 4 weeks, therapy staffing was increased from 2 therapists to 4 and patients given additional

Introduction. Inpatient falls are the most common patient safety incident. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises falls as a significant public health issue and highlights the need for coordinated, evidence-based prevention strategies, including staff training. A multifactorial approach—including fall risk assessment, engagement of staff and patients, environmental modifications, and implementation of preventive measures—significantly reduces fall rates when combined with training activities. Studies have shown that e-learning-based training for healthcare professionals improves

Introduction Falls are a major concern in our ageing society. General exercise interventions like strength and balance training show limited community-wide impact due to poor adherence and low dose. Task-specific interventions such as perturbation-based balance training and gait adaptability training have demonstrated great effectiveness, targeting distinct fall-resisting skills: proactive gait adaptability (PGA), gait robustness (GR), and reactive gait recovery (RGR). This study protocol investigates whether task-specific training of one of the three fall-resisting skills leads to

Introduction Training fall-resisting skills can prevent falls in older adults. These skills include proactive gait adaptability, gait robustness, and reactive gait recovery, which allow people to effectively avoid, resist, and recover from balance threats, respectively.This pilot study guided the design of an RCT of fall-resisting skills training by investigating older adults’ perceptions of the training and their own stability. The aims were 1) explore older adults’ perceptions of stability during walking perturbations related to gait researcher observations; 2) investigate how task

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