Background
Methods
Results
Fall risk assessment
Type | Section | Origin | Element | Result | Cut-off |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Question | Previous Falls | QuickScreen [9] | Have you had one or more falls in the previous 12 months? | Yes/No | Yes |
Question | Medication | QuickScreen [9] | How many medications do you take each day? Do you currently take any medications to help you sleep? | Number Yes/No | >4 Yes |
Question | Vision | QuickScreen [9] | Do you wear multi-focal glasses outside? | Yes/No | Yes |
Question | Peripheral Sensation | QuickScreen [9] | Do you have painful feet? | Yes/No | Yes |
Question | Concern about Falling | Icon-FES [11] | 10 questions using pictures to illustrate the daily activity | 1–4 Likert scale | >13 |
Physical | Reaction time | New | Choice arm reaction time test | Pass/Fail | >800 ms |
Physical | Reaction time | CSRT [12] | Choice stepping reaction time test | Pass/Fail | > 800 ms |
Physical | Balance | SPBB [10] | Semi-tandem test | Pass/Fail | <30 s |
Physical | Strength | Sit-to-stand test | Pass/Fail | >12 s |
iStoppFalls FRA questionnaire
iStoppFalls FRA physical assessments using sensor-based technology
iStoppFalls FRA as a fall risk screening tool
iStoppFalls exercise program
Strength exercise program
Balance exergames
iStoppFalls exergames | Task | Exercise | Game component |
---|---|---|---|
Bumble Bee Park | Stepping | Marching on the spot which moves the avatar/user around the footpath of the park. | To travel around the footpath from start to finish. |
Reaching | Reaching enables the avatar/user to select the correct answers from the memory tasks. | To select the correct answer based on the memory tasks. | |
Leaning | Leaning to the left or right allows the user to avoid bees flying around. | Avoiding hazards (bumble bees). | |
Cognition/dual task | Users reach upwards to select the correct answer. | Mathematical equations comprising of two digit sums and are either subtraction or addition. Colour objects are shown initially and then four choices are presented to the user. Then the correct object should be selected. Participants are instructed to count the number of items prior to starting the game. They are then shown four answers and then select the correct answer which relates to the number of items counted. | |
Hills ‘n’ Skills | Knee bending | Knee bending starts the game, and by bending the knees further, the avatar skis down the slope quicker. | To ski down the slope at varying speeds – depending on the depth of the knee bend. |
Leaning | Leaning to the left or right allows the user to avoid snowmen, or to pass gates. | Avoid snowmen, travel through gates and collect coins. | |
Reaching | Reaching enables the avatar/user to select the correct answers from the memory tasks. | Select the correct answer based on the memory tasks. | |
Cognition/dual task | Users reach upwards to select the correct answer. | Two memory tasks implemented. | |
Mathematical equations comprising of two digit sums which are either subtraction or addition. | |||
Colour objects are shown initially and then four choices are presented to the user. The correct object was then selected. | |||
Balance Bistro | Stepping | Side stepping across the screen to collect ingredients falling from the ceiling across three planes (left, centre, right). | Step across three planes (left, centre, right) on the Bistro floor. |
Reaching | Reaching enables the avatar/user to select the ingredients. | Collect as many ingredients as possible in the allocated time. | |
Collect the specified ingredients in the correct order in the allocated time. | |||
Cognition/dual task | Users step to avoid objects | Avoid spiders and ingredients that are not part of the recipe. |
Feedback
Education material
Topic | Domain | Information |
---|---|---|
General Information | Understanding Falls | A general introduction on fall prevention and fall related injuries. Current statistics and research are summarised and known modifiable risk factors are highlighted. |
Information on fall risk factors and fall prevention strategies | Exercise and Balance | Explains the benefits of exercise in the prevention of falls, states the recommended level of physical activity, includes tips to increase incidental activity and lists types of balance and aerobic exercise. |
Healthy Eating | Covers why diet, hydration, calcium and vitamin D are important. This topic is guided by good practice principles as there is limited evidence in this area. | |
Your General Health | Information on how health can impact on balance and falls including acute and chronic health conditions, cardiovascular health, aspects of mental health, arthritis and incontinence. | |
Vision | Outlines common changes in vision and how they can affect the ability to see, react and maintain balance (i.e., multifocal glasses or other eye conditions). | |
Feet and Footwear | Describes how feet and common foot problems experienced by older people can impair balance. Includes why footwear is important for maintaining balance and outlines features of a ‘safe’ shoe. | |
Bone Health and Fractures | Highlights why bone health and preventing fractures are important. This topic covers aspects of nutrition, exercise, prescription medications, and prevention of osteoporosis and hip protectors. | |
Fear of Falling | Discusses why fear of falling can increase the risk of having a fall and how it can affect daily and physical activity levels, balance and confidence. | |
Medicines | Describes why and how certain medications affect balance and increase risk of falling. | |
Environmental Hazards | Information on potential hazards and risks both inside and outside the home are discussed. How and why certain surroundings can be a risk factor is outlined. Simple and more sophisticated home modifications are described. | |
Emergency Plan | Describes why having an emergency plan is important and provides simple instructions to follow after a fall. Provides tips to assist them getting up or to get help after a fall. | |
Checklist | Health and Lifestyle | Questions relating to each of the education topics are asked to help individuals reflect on and identify their own fall risk factors. |
Home Safety | Designed to help older people follow basic home safety guidelines and identify aspects of their home that might increase their risk of a fall. | |
Quiz | Fall Quiz | Reflects on the most important points covered by the education fact sheets. |