Falls Prevention Project

The risk of falls depends upon a range of individual abilities and characteristics of the external environment. At an individual level, factors such as strength, visual acuity and proprioception (the sense of where parts of our body are located in space) are all thought to contribute. We’re wanting to look in more detail at the role proprioception might be playing and how typical age-related declines might be related to falls risk. Volunteers are needed to participate in a research study that will see how a range of measures related to proprioception correlate with one another and with observed falls over a six month period. The information gained from the research will assist in identifying which measure, or combination of measures, has the greatest power in terms of predicting falls risk. This has the potential to improve screening for falls risk in clinical settings. 

We’re looking for people aged 55 or more who have 45 minutes to spare for testing, and who will be willing to keep a falls diary for 6 months.

Volunteers will be asked to undertake 6 tests and a questionnaire at the beginning of the project and then monitor any falls using a falls diary over the following 6 months. The initial testing will take around 45 minutes but is not physically demanding. Tests will include; Walking speed, Balance tests x2, visual tests x2, sensation test of the feet, and a questionnaire.

Screening will be free of charge. Parking costs for the testing at UC health Hub will be covered.