Balance and the Mind Programme Development Grant
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A development study to inform the design of an intervention and future randomised controlled trial to evaluate falls prevention amongst people with mild dementia.
IRAS ID
120966
Contact name
Rowan Harwood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Research summary
We ultimately aim to develop and test a new approach to preventing falls in people with dementia.
Dementia causes loss of mental functions including memory, awareness of space, and decision making. Falls risk is high in people with dementia, but clinical guidelines recommend no specific treatment. Usual interventions are believed to be ineffective, either because specific risk factors are operating, or approaches to reducing conventional risk factors take insufficient account of the learning needs of people with dementia. Recent work suggests judgement and decision making (‘executive function’) are important, and might be a target for intervention. We aim to develop and evaluate a risk assessment and treatment programme, informed by neuropsychological treatment approaches, and described in a manual.
To commence this process we need to: 1) know the prevalence of neuropsychological abnormalities, and that we can measure them 2) understand patients’, carers’ and staff views on falls risk, and what would constitute acceptable advice and treatment 3)start to develop the new treatment in current clinical practice 4)undertake initial testing for effects on balance and gait as ’proof of concept’
We will recruit
1. 50 people over 65 with mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from memory clinics
2. 50 people over 65 seen by falls services whose routine assessment suggest memory problems.A researcher will visit capacitous and consenting participants to collect risk factor data and test cognitive function. Participants will visit a clinic for a falls, balance and gait assessment. 20 will be interviewed about their experiences and expectations of falls and falls prevention. Up to 10 will try a new intervention and provide feedback. We will also interview 10-20 staff.
The PDG funding gives direct access to the second stage of application for a NIHR Programme Grant to further develop and evaluate the intervention in a randomised trial.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0161
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion