Exercise engagement in people over 60 at risk of falls
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Barriers and facilitators to exercise engagement in people over 60 at risk of falls: an exploratory study
IRAS ID
321518
Contact name
Michelle Thirlwall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust: A University Teaching Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Aim: To understand the barriers and facilitators to exercise engagement in patients over 60, who are at risk of falls.
Background: One in three people over the age of 65 and one in two over the age of 80 will fall each year. A fall is the main reason older people attend A and E. Falls can result in soft tissue injuries and broken bones, the most significant being a hip fracture, and these often require physiotherapy input. Locally, we have above average rates of hip fracture. Falling also reduces confidence and further mobility, which can also impact on developing long term health conditions.
Research has shown that exercise can help improve the strength and balance in people over 60 at risk of falls. Exploring patient views on exercise and their physiotherapy experience will help us to understand why patients do or do not engage with exercise and ultimately help us improve our services.
Study Design: We will ask patients over the age of 60 who are at risk of falls to participate in a conversation with a physiotherapist about their understanding and experiences of exercising. This allows an in depth exploration of each patient's perceptions and thoughts around exercise engagement.
Patient's who have been identified as a risk of falls by their physiotherapist, following referral to Rossendale Physiotherapy service, and who have agreed to be contacted about future research will be contacted to participate. Up to 10 participants will be recruited.
Conversations will be recorded via dictaphone, and written down word for word. Patient answers will be looked at for similarities and differences in patient experiences. This information will then be utilised to improve future service delivery.
Results of this research will be shared within the local service, and at local and national conferences.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0226
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion