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eS744 WCPT Congress 2015 / Physiotherapy 2015; Volume 101, Supplement 1 eS633–eS832
Conclusion(s): Adjuvant functional stimulation (Theta
Burst Stimulation and Functional Electrical Stimulation) may
be useful prospect for post-stroke motor rehabilitation.
Implications: Cortical stimulation with TBS has been
proved to improve the motor functions by cortical reorgani-
sation and thereby increased cortico-spinal outflow, whereby
on the other hand FES which is a peripheral stimulation has
also proved to improve the motor functions. So this study
implies a central stimulation with TBS and peripheral stim-
ulation with FES can increase the synaptic pooling thereby
improve the motor functions to a larger extent.
Keywords: Theta burst stimulation; Functional electrical
stimulation; Stroke rehabilitation
Funding acknowledgements: Department of Science and
Technology.
Ethics approval: Institutional Ethics Committee of Sree
Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology
– No. IEC/223.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.3608
Research Report Platform Rapid 5 Presentation
Number: RR-PLR5-1849
Saturday 2 May 2015 16:00
Room 324–326
PEER-LED COMMUNITY FALLS
PREVENTION PROGRAMME: PEER
EDUCATORS’ PERSPECTIVES
L. Khong1, F. Farringdon2, K.D. Hill3,
A.-M. Hill1
1University of Notre Dame Australia, School of
Physiotherapy and Institute for Health Research,
Fremantle, Australia;2University of Notre Dame
Australia, School of Health Sciences, Fremantle,
Australia;3Curtin University, School of Physiotherapy and
Exercise Science, Perth, Australia
Background: One third of community-dwelling adults
over 65 years of age fall over each year. While there is
strong evidence for effective falls-prevention strategies, there
appears to be a gap between research and practice in terms
of uptake and implementation of these strategies. One possi-
ble approach to addressing this gap is to use peers to deliver
falls-prevention messages, however, there is limited research
investigating the effectiveness of peer-led falls-prevention
education. In addition, no previous research has investigated
this education from the point of view of the peers who deliver
it.
Purpose: The peer education programme is run as part
of the Stay On Your Feet WA®program. This falls preven-
tion health promotion program is coordinated by the Injury
Control Council of Western Australia and supported by the
Government of Western Australia. The primary aim of this
study was to explore peer educators’ perspectives regarding
their role in providing falls-prevention education programme
for older community dwelling adults.
Methods: A qualitative inductive constant comparative
design consisting of two stages, was employed. The first stage
consisted of two focus group with all peer-educators (n= 11),
and was followed by a supplementary stage involving semi-
structured interviews with two peer-educator participants.
Two independent researchers analysed the data using the-
matic analysis. Rigour was established by using method
triangulation, investigator triangulation and member check-
ing of the research findings. Findings were used to construct
a conceptual diagram.
Results: Peer educators described being motivated to
deliver falls-prevention education messages. They perceived
that there were both limitations and supportive factors,
which affected their ability to engage their peers with falls
prevention messages. Personal supportive factors included
peer-to-peer connection and perceived credibility. Receiv-
ing ongoing training and feedback were deemed supportive
factors from the organisation. Limitations reported included
reduced access to resources to support peer-led fall prevention
presentations in some community venues.
Conclusion(s): There is potential in using peer educators
to deliver falls-prevention education within the community,
given the peer-to-peer connections that can facilitate opti-
mal engagement with falls prevention messages to influence
acceptance, and motivate uptake of falls prevention strategies.
These peer educators require ongoing support and resources
to maximise their impact.
Implications: Findings from this research may be used to
guide a formal, wide-scale evaluation of the effectiveness of
peer education for reducing falls in adults over 65 years of
age.
Keywords: Health education; Qualitative research; Falls
prevention
Funding acknowledgements: This study is supported by
the Australian Government’s Collaborative Research Net-
work.
Ethics approval: The Human Research Ethics Commit-
tee of The University of Notre Dame Australia (Reference
013061F) on 06 May 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.3609