Penn Nursing Pioneers Fall Prevention Strategy in New Clinical Trial
Penn's School of Nursing is pioneering a fall prevention strategy, Sense4Safety, which combines coaching, exercise, and educational components with passive monitoring via depth sensors. The team plans to test this innovative intervention in a clinical trial, with participants randomly assigned to either a control group or the intervention group.
The study focuses on falls, a critical issue for adult populations, as they often lead to other health complications and adverse events. Preventing falls can significantly improve quality of life and result in substantial cost savings for the healthcare system. Falls are among the most expensive medical conditions to treat, posing a considerable burden on the system.
The intervention, Sense4Safety, includes a tailored exercise program, the Otago Exercise Program, which can be adapted to suit individual abilities. It also involves passive monitoring via an in-home depth sensor and active engagement with a coach who specializes in exercise programs. Researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of using this technology to predict fall risk.
In a recent study, most participants found the intervention useful. It provided them with a sense of safety and increased their awareness of their home environment. The researchers hope that this intervention will one day be available to populations at high risk for falls, such as older adults recently discharged from the hospital.
Penn's School of Nursing is set to commence a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Sense4Safety, an innovative fall prevention strategy that combines coaching, exercise, and educational components with passive monitoring. The study aims to reduce falls among older adults, improving their quality of life and potentially saving significant healthcare costs.
