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Accidental falls are common among people with MS. About 60% people with MS experience at least one fall each 6 months and about 30% have multiple falls. Increased fall risk and fear of falls have been shown to significantly affect quality of life and curtail activities among people with MS. Therefore, effective interventions to reduce fall risk in people with MS are highly needed.
Fall prevention and treatment strategies in MS are still at an early stage. Studies on falls in MS reveal important balance, coordination and cognitive determinants of falls. Based on these results, Dr Hoang will conduct a multi-centre randomised single-blind controlled trial to evaluate and elucidate effective treatment strategies that can help reduce fall risks in people with MS. The proposed trial will enrol approximately 500 people with MS in 3 states: New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia over a period of 36 months.
It is expected that if the research confirms effectiveness of treatment strategies, implementation of clinical interventions will contribute to reduced fall rates in people with MS and associated injury-associated costs, reduced fear of falls and improved quality of life for people with MS.
This project aims to assess whether people with MS show improvements in stepping and mobility, and reductions in the number of falls after participating in step training exercises.
So far Dr Hoang have completed a pilot randomized control trial study with 50 people with MS. The findings of the study indicate that the step-training program is feasible, safe and effective in improving stepping, standing balance, coordination and functional performance in people with MS. Dr Hoang is now on the verge of rolling out a large scale multi-centre randomised controlled trial to determine the effects of the home-based step training system on frequency accidental falls in people with MS. This trial aims to recruit about 500 people with MS from 3 cities Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.
Updated: 24 May 2016
Dr Phu Hoang
$196,000
2014
3 years
Past project
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