Prof Terry Haines, CRE Chief Investigator Head of School, School of Primary and Allied Health Care at Monash University. This follows his previous appointment as Director of Monash Health & Monash University Allied Health Research Unit, Monash Health. He has pursued work in the areas of falls prevention, implementation science and translation of evidence into policy and practice. http:// https://www.monash.edu/medicine/spahc/about-us/school-staff/thaines
Webinar – Collecting, analysing and reporting falls related data
Presented by the ANZFPS Early Career Researcher Sub-Committee
Program
Dr Morello introduces how fall outcomes are commonly measured and collected in clinical practice and research. Dr Soh provides practical guidance on how to report and analyse falls data.
Dr Renata Morello is the Director of Research at National Disability Insurance Agency. She is an experienced Health Services Researcher and Physiotherapist with a demonstrated history of working in healthcare organisations and the higher education industry. Her research focusing on falls prevention has included managing the largest falls prevention RCT ever to be published (6-PACK) and the NHMRC-funded multi-centre RCT (RESPOND). She is a strong research and clinical professional with a PhD focused in Health Services Research from Monash University.
Dr Sze-Ee Soh is a senior lecturer and postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Primary and Allied Health Care at Monash University. Sze-Ee is an experienced physiotherapist with an extensive clinical background in delivering physiotherapy services for older adults. She is currently Course Coordinator for the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Monash University. Her research has spanned the areas of chronic disease, health services, patient-reported outcomes, falls prevention and the psychometric properties of measurement tools. She has a unique set of research skills, with particular expertise in quantitative data analysis and is currently completing a Master in Biostatistics.
Collecting, analysing and reporting falls-related data – Free Webinar
Presented by the ANZFPS Early Career Researcher Sub-Committee
Presenters: Dr Renata Morello & Dr Sze-Ee Soh
Dr Morello will introduce how fall outcomes are commonly measured and collected in clinical practice and research. Dr Soh will provide practical guidance on how to report and analyse falls data.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Dr Renata Morello is the Director of Research at National Disability Insurance Agency. She is an experienced Health Services Researcher and Physiotherapist with a demonstrated history of working in healthcare organisations and the higher education industry. Her research focusing on falls prevention has included managing the largest falls prevention RCT ever to be published (6-PACK) and the NHMRC-funded multi-centre RCT (RESPOND). She is a strong research and clinical professional with a PhD focused in Health Services Research from Monash University.
Dr Sze-Ee Soh is a senior lecturer and postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Primary and Allied Health Care at Monash University. Sze-Ee is an experienced physiotherapist with an extensive clinical background in delivering physiotherapy services for older adults. She is currently Course Coordinator for the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Monash University. Her research has spanned the areas of chronic disease, health services, patient-reported outcomes, falls prevention and the psychometric properties of measurement tools. She has a unique set of research skills, with particular expertise in quantitative data analysis and is currently completing a Master in Biostatistics.
Dr Hassett gives an overview on behaviour change. A/Prof Tiedemann provides insights into the practical implementation of behaviour change into fall prevention efforts.
Presenters
Dr Leanne Hassett
Leanne Hassett(PhD; MHlthSc(NeuroPHTY); BAppSc(PHTY)) is a Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Physiotherapy at The University of Sydney, leading the Neurology teaching team. She is also a Senior Research Fellow and NHMRC Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP) Fellow in the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health at The University of Sydney, leading the research theme of physical activity for people with physical disabilities. Her TRIP fellowship is focused on the implementation of physical activity counselling within routine physiotherapy care and has included attending training in behaviour change methods through University College London.
Associate Professor Anne Tiedemann
A/Prof Anne Tiedemann (PhD, BSc, Grad Dip Sci) is Principal Research Fellow and theme leader for Healthy Ageing within the Physical Activity, Ageing and Disability research stream, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health, University of Sydney.A/Prof Tiedemann’s research aims to bridge the gap between the compelling evidence of the importance of physical activity for promoting health and preventing falls and the very low rates of participation across the population, particularly in older age. Over the past 10 years, Anne has led research, involving seven large scale RCTs and nine systematic reviews exploring the design and evaluation of low cost, sustainable strategies for preventing falls and increasing physical activity for people aged 50 years and over. Anne’s 122 peer-reviewed publications have been cited 9058 times and she was a member of the guidelines development group for the recently released WHO Global Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour.
Associate Professor Elissa Burton will provide an overview of her systematic review on whether interventions are effective in improving the ability of older adults to get up off the floor independently and the two main methods used. Elissa will outline her kinematic research that identified three main methods, with different methods used across three stages (i.e., initiation, weight transfer, transition to stand) that older adults use to get up from the floor. Finally, Elissa will outline practical considerations of therapeutic/exercise interventions targeting capacity to independently get up from the floor.
Dr Jennie Hewitt discusses the implementation of Sunbeam (successful fall prevention intervention) into RACF. Rik Dawson discusses his experience delivering fall prevention exercise using telehealth focusing on the user experience. Jennie and Rik also discuss how AN-ACC has influenced fall prevention activities and provided opportunities for practice change in RACF.
Prof Levinger discussed the use of the Seniors Exercise Parks to improve physical activity and reduce fall risk. Prof Waters discussed the “Steady As You GO” program. Dr Ekegren discussed physical activity and sedentary behaviour in hospital settings.
Dr Morello introduces how fall outcomes are commonly measured and collected in clinical practice and research. Dr Soh provides practical guidance on how to report and analyse falls data.
Dr Hassett gives an overview on behaviour change. A/Prof Tiedemann provides insights into the practical implementation of behaviour change into fall prevention efforts.
Professor Sallie Lamb led the Prevention of Fall Injury Trial. This large (n=9083) UK study sought to prevent fractures in older adults with falls risk screening and multifactorial exercise programs. The study was recently published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
The Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and the ANZ Falls Prevention Society hosted Professor Sallie Lamb and an expert panel as they discussed the results and finer details of the Fall Injury Prevention. The panel included Professors Cathie Sherrington, Vasi Naganathan and Stephen Lord.
Pain as a risk factor for falls – An overview of the literature: Dr Daina Sturnieks, Neuroscience Research Australia
Gait, balance and pain in knee osteoarthritis and its impacts on fall: Professor Pazit Levinger, National Ageing Research Institute
Foot pain, balance and falls in older people: Professor Hylton Menz, La Trobe University
Interventions to reduce chronic pain—focus on older people: Mr Rodrigo Rizzo, Neuroscience Research Australia
The Institute for Musculoskeletal Health (IMH) hosted 'The Research Power Hour’ on Friday 4th September. The webinar unpacked the recent STRIDE trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine. STRIDE was a large US multicenter, cluster-randomized, pragmatic trial that explored strategies to reduce injuries and develop confidence in older people. The trial’s abstract and recent publication can be found here: Stride Trial Article
During the webinar, participants heard from Dr Nancy Latham, STRIDE Study Director, and an expert panel as they discussed the results and finer details of this impressive trial and took questions from the audience. The expert panel included Professor Cathie Sherrington, Professor Vasi Naganathan and Professor Stephen Lord.
Dr Alison Pearce introduces how Health Economists think, and why that might be interesting and/or useful to fall prevention researchers. Alison gives practical guidance for how to find and work with a Health Economist. Daniel Treacy discusses the practical application of health economics using an example from hospital rehabilitation.10 presentations from the seminar overviewing the current evidence supporting exercise for fall prevention and systems approaches that acknowledge the complexity of influences on behaviour and outcomes and help us target aspects to change.
10 presentations from the seminar overviewing the current evidence supporting exercise for fall prevention and systems approaches that acknowledge the complexity of influences on behaviour and outcomes and help us target aspects to change.
Prof Rob Herbert provides a brief background on what it means to be a complier, the complier average causal effect (CACE), assumptions needed to estimate the CACE, and approaches to estimating the CACE.
Dr. Nicola Fairhall discusses the practical application of CACE analysis using an example from one of her randomised controlled trials.
The webinar link will be emailed to registered attendees on Monday 14th December 2020. Please note that you can register even if unable to attend on the day to receive a link to the recording of the webinar.
The Prevention of Fall Injury Trial was a large (n=9803) UK study that sought to prevent fractures in older adults with falls risk screening and multifactorial and exercise interventions. The study was recently published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
The Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and the ANZ Falls Prevention Society jointly invite you to join trial author Professor Sallie Lamb, and an expert panel to discuss the results and finer details of this impressive trial and take questions from the audience. Our expert panel will include Professor Cathie Sherrington, Professor Vasikaran Naganathan and Professor Stephen Lord.
Professor Lamb is the Mireille Gillings Professor for Health Innovation at the University of Exeter. She is also an Honorary Departmental Professor at the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford. She has a background as a physiotherapist.
Our presenters have provided some responses for questions that they were unable to be answered during our Q&A Session – you can view them here: Pain Webinar – Additional Q&A responses
Program:
Pain as a risk factor for falls – An overview of the literature
Dr Daina Sturnieks, Neuroscience Research Australia
Community-dwelling older adults with pain are more likely to have fallen in the past 12 months and to fall again in the future. A brief overview of the literature will be provided.
Gait, balance and pain in knee osteoarthritis and its impacts on falls
Professor Pazit Levinger, National Ageing Research Institute
People with knee osteoarthritis often report pain, difficulty performing activities of daily living and present with a range of physical impairments including joint stiffness, muscle weakness, altered proprioception, reduced balance and gait abnormalities. This presentation will overview the common gait and balance impairments seen in people with lower limb osteoarthritis and how they may relate to increase falls risk.
Foot pain, balance and falls in older people
Professor Hylton Menz, La Trobe University
Foot pain affects 1 in 4 people over the age of 65 years and is associated with decreased ability to undertake activities of daily living, problems with balance and gait, and an increased risk of falls. This presentation will provide an overview of (i) the epidemiology of foot pain in older people, (ii) the mechanisms by which foot pain increases the risk of falls, and (iii) interventions targeting foot pain that may reduce the risk of falling.
Interventions to reduce chronic pain—focus on older people
Mr Rodrigo Rizzo, Neuroscience Research Australia
Chronic pain is one of the most common conditions encountered by healthcare professionals among older people. The management of chronic pain in older people must take into account the multiple comorbidities that this population may have (eg. disorders of gait and balance). The risk of falls must be considered for both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in older patients with chronic pain.
Presenters
Dr Daina Sturnieks
Dr Sturnieks has a PhD in human biomechanics (UWA). She is Laboratory Manager for the Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre at NeuRA. Her research focuses on understanding biomechanical, sensorimotor and neurocognitive contributions to balance and falls in older people and clinical groups, and randomised controlled trials of novel interventions to prevent falls involving balance, stepping and cognitive training. Dr Sturnieks is active in translating research findings into community, aged care and hospital settings and is Executive Board Member of the Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society.
Professor Pazit Levinger
Professor Levinger is a Senior Researcher (Accredited Exercise Physiologist) at the National Ageing Research Institute. She also holds Honorary positions at the Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University and the Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University. She has over 15 years experience, skills and expertise in active ageing, physical activity and falls prevention, quantitative gait analysis and clinical biomechanics with the focus on people with osteoarthritis.
Professor Hylton B Menz
Professor Hylton Menz is a podiatrist who graduated with first class Honours and the University Medal from La Trobe University in 1993, and completed his PhD focusing on gait patterns, balance and falls at the University of NSW in 2002. He is currently a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Senior Research Fellow. Professor Menz’s broad research disciplines are human movement, rehabilitation and rheumatology, with a particular focus on musculoskeletal foot problems in older people. His research extends from laboratory-based biomechanical studies through to analysis of epidemiological datasets and the conduct of clinical trials.
Mr Rodrigo Rizzo
Rodrigo Rizzo is a Doctoral Candidate at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and University of New South Wales (UNSW). He is a physiotherapist who has worked in the management of chronic pain for over 15 years.
Presented by the ANZFPS Early Career Researcher Sub-Committee
Presenters: Dr Alison Pearce & Daniel Treacy
Dr Pearce introduces how Health Economists think, and why that might be interesting and/or useful to fall prevention researchers. Alison gives practical guidance for how to find and work with a Health Economist. Daniel discusses the practical application of health economics using an example from hospital rehabilitation.
To watch the webinar recorded on Thursday 26th of March 2020 click here.
After watching the webinar, please complete our evaluation survey by clicking here.
Dr Pearce has generously made her slides available. If you use or adapt the information contained, please acknowledge Dr Pearce and the event.
Dr Alison Pearce is a health economist interested in the various costs of cancer, and how people make choices about their health and healthcare. Alison’s research aims to use health services research and health economics to improve cancer care by providing relevant, reliable information for decision making. Currently based at the University of Sydney School of Public Health, Alison teaches introductory health economics and conducts research in the areas of oncology patient preferences and productivity loss. Alison’s research extends the work previously completed at the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) at UTS, and as a postdoc at the National Cancer Registry in Ireland. Alison’s PhD investigated the costs of chemotherapy side effects at CHERE in 2013, after working in cancer clinical trials and health services research.
Alison’s original training was in occupational therapy, and she remains interested in rehabilitation research. Alison also has keen interests in early career researcher development, communicating research to the public, and the use of social media in academia. When not being an academic Alison enjoys putting economic theories into practice in her small business – Bean Bar You.
Daniel Treacy is the Physiotherapy Advisor for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and a PhD student through the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health at the University of Sydney. Daniel has previously worked as a rehabilitation Physiotherapist and has a strong interest in improving the function of elderly people both within the hospital and community setting. Daniel’s PhD topic is “Increasing and measuring physical rehabilitation”
On Thursday 28th November 2019, the Australia and New Zealand Fall Prevention Society in conjunction with the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health held the seminar – “Exercise for falls prevention: How can we have a greater impact on policy and practice?”
The seminar 85 attendees heard presentations overviewing the current evidence supporting exercise for fall prevention and learnt about systems approaches that acknowledge the complexity of influences on behaviour and outcomes and help us target aspects to change. We were then inspired by examples of policies and programs that have implemented evidence-based interventions in fall prevention and related fields. Three of the presenters even presented remotely without a hitch. All presenters have generously made their presentations available (click links below).
