Vibration therapy

Whole body vibration training (WBV) involves standing or exercising on a vibrating platform. WBV has been suggested to benefit bone strength and neuromuscular function, so could potentially reduce risk of fracture by preventing falls as well as increasing bone strength. Whilst some potential has been demonstrated, findings have been mixed, perhaps in part due to the variation in vibration interventions that have been delivered and the groups of participants studied

Bio-impedance technique to diagnose sarcopenia in fallers compared to dual x-ray absorptiometry [Abstract]

Bio-impedance technique to diagnose sarcopenia in fallers compared to dual x-ray absorptiometry [Abstract

The prevalence of sarcopenia in fallers and those at risk of falls in a secondary care falls unit as measured by bioimpedance analysis

Objectives: Sarcopenia is characterised by loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength with adverse outcomes: physical disability, poor quality of life and death. Low muscle mass and strength are risk factors for falls, although there are few data available on the prevalence of sarcopenia in fallers. This study aimed to determine prevalence of sarcopenia in older people referred to a falls clinic. Methods: Consecutive patients referred to a secondary care falls unit were recruited. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia definition (low muscle mass and function) and cut-off points. Bio-impedance measured appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Gait speed and grip strength were functional measures. Results: Fifty-eight patients were recruited. Mean (SD) grip strength for women and men respectively were 17.9 (4.9) and 29.9(8.7) kg, mean (SD) gait speeds were 0.61(0.18) and 0.72 (0.4) m/s, mean (SD) appendicular skeletal muscle index in women and men were 6.98(1.0) and 7.85 (1.0) kg/m2 (p=0.018). Prevalence of sarcopenia was 9.8% (95% CI=1.6%-18%). Conclusions: Sarcopenia, as measured by bio-impedance is not uncommon in older people accessing a secondary care falls clinic. Bio-impedance was simple to perform, although further validation against gold standard methods is needed. As nutritional and exercise interventions for sarcopenia are available, simple methods for diagnosing sarcopenia in fallers should be considered

Effectiveness of a community group and home based exercise intervention on the maintenance of vertebral body height and prevention of vertebral compression fractures in older adults: The ProAct65+bone study [Abstract]

Effectiveness of a community group and home based exercise intervention on the maintenance of vertebral body height and prevention of vertebral compression fractures in older adults: The ProAct65+bone study [Abstract

Can exercise protect against vertebral deformity? The proact65+bone study [Abstract]

Can exercise protect against vertebral deformity? The proact65+bone study [Abstract

Does adherence to falls prevention exercise programmes benefit bone mineral density in older people? The ProAct65+ bone study [abstract]

Does adherence to falls prevention exercise programmes benefit bone mineral density in older people? The ProAct65+ bone study [abstract

A review of environmental hazards associated with in-patient falls

Slips, trips and falls present the greatest risk to in-patients in terms of exposure (frequency of occurrence) but only present a low severity risk in terms of mortality. The risk factors have been categorized as intrinsic (individual to the patient, e.g. visual impairment, balance problems and medicine use) or extrinsic (environmental). Many recommendations have been made concerning the management of environmental hazards but, of these, only beds rails have supporting research evidence. Other recommendations include patient assessment, footwear, flooring, lighting, staffing levels and bed alarms. However, three systematic reviews and the current narrative review have all failed to find research evaluating the benefits of these recommendations. The most robust evidence relates to the use of bed rails. This research suggests that bed rails not only fail to reduce the frequency of falls, but may also exacerbate the severity of injury. As Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs model has been used as a framework for nursing models of care, it was chosen as the basis for the development of an environmental hazard assessment model. The environmental hazards are revisited using this model in order to take an ergonomic or patient-centred approach for risk assessment

Results for the SID presented as mean, standard deviation (SD), difference between means (M-DIFF), p-values, Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and Limits of Agreement (LOA, both in absolute numbers and percentage).

<p>Results for the SID presented as mean, standard deviation (SD), difference between means (M-DIFF), p-values, Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and Limits of Agreement (LOA, both in absolute numbers and percentage).</p

Experimental set-up of the SID test.

<p>Experimental set-up of the SID test.</p

Crude data from the WBB (left) and the SID (right).

<p>The horizontal axis shows each individual and the vertical axis show the recorded strength in kilograms for each session.</p