Seniors who have had a recent fall needed for UQ study

Men or women aged over 65 who have had a fall that resulted in injury within the past six months are required for a University of Queensland study.

Physiotherapists in UQ's Neurological Disorders, Ageing and Balance Clinic are examining the effectiveness of a specific balance strategy training program in improving balance and reducing the incidence of falling in elderly people who have already suffered a fall.

Figures show falls are one of the greatest causes of accidental death and injury in people aged over 65. Even non-injurious falls often lead to a loss of independence in older people. Falls, with and without injury, are one of the main reasons for entering nursing homes.

The study's chief investigator Jenny Nitz said that a specific balance strategy training program for people who have fallen was considered superior to generalised, community-run balance exercise classes.

Participants should have suffered a fall within the past six months resulting in minor or major injury, she said.

Participants would have their balance and functional abilities assessed prior to being assigned to either the study group receiving balance strategy training or a control group participating in a balance exercise class, Mrs Nitz said.

"All participants will receive 12 treatments over 12 weeks free-of-charge at the Neurological Disorders, Ageing and Balance Clinic at UQ's Department of Physiotherapy," she said.

"Included in the treatment is an education package that raises awareness of factors associated with falls and tips for minimising the possibility of a fall. Participants will be re-assessed at the end of three months and followed up for a further three months to determine carry-over effect of the treatments."

Assessments will take around an hour during which time rests will be given as needed and the treatment sessions will also be one hour's duration. Participants must be willing to continue to attend for treatment weekly at a regular time for 12 weeks.

For more information, contact Jenny Nitz (telephone 07 3365 2791 or email
j.nitz@shrs.uq.edu.au) or Nancy Low Choy (telephone 07 3365 4507 or facsimile 07 3365 2775).