Publications (6)3.02 Total impact
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Article: Occupational Therapy Assessment of Potential Hazards in the Homes of Elderly People: an Inter‐Rater Reliability Study
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ABSTRACT: Falls and fractured hips in the elderly have often been attributed to home environmental factors. There is a lack of research evaluating occupational therapists' reliability in assessing the home environment for potential safety hazards. Twenty home visits were conducted by seven therapists with two occupational therapy raters present at each home visit. The kappa statistic was used to determine inter-rater reliability. Generally, therapists were able to reliably rate potential hazards in the home, however, some areas, such as the toilet area and shower rails had poor reliability. It is recommended that more objective criteria be developed for assessing potential hazards in the home.Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 08/2010; 39(3):23 - 26. · 0.68 Impact Factor -
Article: Minimising disability and falls in older people through a post-hospital exercise program: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation.
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ABSTRACT: Disability and falls are particularly common among older people who have recently been hospitalised. There is evidence that disability severity and fall rates can be reduced by well-designed exercise interventions. However, the potential for exercise to have these benefits in older people who have spent time in hospital has not been established.This randomised controlled trial will investigate the effects of a home-based exercise program on disability and falls among people who have had recent hospital stays. The cost-effectiveness of the exercise program from the health and community service provider's perspective will be established. In addition, predictors for adherence with the exercise program will be determined. Three hundred and fifty older people who have recently had hospital stays will participate in the study. Participants will have no medical contraindications to exercise and will be cognitively and physically able to complete the assessments and exercise program.The primary outcome measures will be mobility-related disability (measured with 12 monthly questionnaires and the Short Physical Performance Battery) and falls (measured with 12 monthly calendars). Secondary measures will be tests of risk of falling, additional measures of mobility, strength and flexibility, quality of life, fall-related self efficacy, health-system and community-service contact, assistance from others, difficulty with daily tasks, physical activity levels and adverse events.After discharge from hospital and completion of all hospital-related treatments, participants will be randomly allocated to an intervention group or usual-care control group. For the intervention group, an individualised home exercise program will be established and progressed during ten home visits from a physiotherapist. Participants will be asked to exercise at home up to 6 times per week for the 12-month study period. The study will determine the impact of this exercise intervention on mobility-related disability and falls in older people who have been in hospital as well as cost-effectiveness and predictors of adherence to the program. Thus, the results will have direct implications for the design and implementation of interventions for this high-risk group of older people. The protocol for this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12607000563460.BMC Geriatrics 03/2009; 9:8. · 2.34 Impact Factor -
Article: Exercise intervention to prevent falls and enhance mobility in community dwellers after stroke: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
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ABSTRACT: Abstract Background Stroke is the most common disabling neurological condition in adults. Falls and poor mobility are major contributors to stroke-related disability. Falls are more frequent and more likely to result in injury among stroke survivors than among the general older population. Currently there is good evidence that exercise can enhance mobility after stroke, yet ongoing exercise programs for general community-based stroke survivors are not routinely available. This randomised controlled trial will investigate whether exercise can reduce fall rates and increase mobility and physical activity levels in stroke survivors. Methods and design Three hundred and fifty community dwelling stroke survivors will be recruited. Participants will have no medical contradictions to exercise and be cognitively and physically able to complete the assessments and exercise program. After the completion of the pre-test assessment, participants will be randomly allocated to one of two intervention groups. Both intervention groups will participate in weekly group-based exercises and a home program for twelve months. In the lower limb intervention group, individualised programs of weight-bearing balance and strengthening exercises will be prescribed. The upper limb/cognition group will receive exercises aimed at management and improvement of function of the affected upper limb and cognition carried out in the seated position. The primary outcome measures will be falls (measured with 12 month calendars) and mobility. Secondary outcome measures will be risk of falling, physical activity levels, community participation, quality of life, health service utilisation, upper limb function and cognition. Discussion This study aims to establish and evaluate community-based sustainable exercise programs for stroke survivors. We will determine the effects of the exercise programs in preventing falls and enhancing mobility among people following stroke. This program, if found to be effective, has the potential to be implemented within existing community services. Trial registration The protocol for this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12606000479505).BMC Neurology. 01/2009; -
Conference Proceeding: The Central Sydney Tai Chi trial
8th National Conference on Injury Prevention & Control; 09/2006 -
Conference Proceeding: Encouraging Older People To Participate In Tai Chi As A Way Of Preventing Falls.
Australian Health Promotion Association: NSW State Conference, Coffs Harbour; 05/2003 -
Conference Proceeding: Older people and physical activity: motivating factors.
1st Asia-Pacific Injury Prevention Conference & 6th National Conference on Injury Prevention & Control, Perth; 03/2003
Top co-authors
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Institutions
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2010
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Westmead Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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2009
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University of Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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