FaME (PSI) reduces falls even in low risk older adults (but not OEP) – Gawler et al. 2016

Sheena Gawler has published the results on falls reduction in a low risk population of older adults after a 6 month PSI intervention and a 6 month OEP intervention. Conclusions: Community-dwelling older adults who joined an exercise intervention (FaME) aimed at increasing MVPA did not fall more during the intervention period, fell less and had…

PSI sessions significantly increase habitual physical activity as well as reducing falls (ProAct65+)

New research published this week shows that FaME sessions delivered by PSIs to the general older population through primary care (not high risk fallers) for 6 months, significantly increased habitual physical activity (self reported moderate physical activity) by 15 minutes a day even a year after the intervention finishes. These sessions also significantly reduced the…

FaME (PSI) and Parkinsons Disease – Evidence

Vicki Goodwin and colleagues adapted the FaME exercises for their pragmatic randomised controlled trial looking at falls prevention in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). You can view the paper here. Methods: Recruitment was from three primary and four secondary care organisations, and PD support groups in South West England. The intervention was delivered in community…

Age UK publish EXPERT SERIES on Falls Prevention – for commissioners and policy makers

Document Title: Falls Prevention Exercise – following the evidence Document Purpose: To explain the research base for falls prevention exercise to give a better understanding of the programmes that have been shown to be effective in preventing falls. Target Audience: Clinical Commissioning Groups, Public Health professionals, commissioners of care services, health and care service providers,…

Evaluation of 32 week community PSI classes in Wales 2012

Aberystwyth University and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in 2012 published an evaluation of the “Functional and Psychological Changes During a Community Based 32 Week Postural Stability Training Programme: Recommendations for Future Practice” report. The Main Fi ndings of the report were: The data strongly support the programme’s impact on patients’ functional ability, with clear improvements…

RCP Report 2012 – NHS exercise programmes a success with older people but not always evidence-based

Last week the Royal College of Physicians published a new audit on exercise provision in falls services across the UK. Some of the findings were, unfortunately, not unexpected! This survey was commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) and carried out by the Royal College of Physicians’ Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit (CEEU). It…