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Hacking Health in Hamilton Ontario - Let's hear that pitch!

What compelled me to register for a weekend Health Hackathon? Anyway, I could soon be up to my ears in it. A pubmed search on Health Hack...

Monday, March 28, 2016

Sharing your patient record can help researchers save and improve lives

I am just copying and pasting and posting this article and giving all credit due. I am thinking however along these same lines for an article on researching health records, big data analytics, and consent for the use of patient records for research. Mostly I have been studying research data management plans and the trend towards sharing research data on well preserved data library repositories. I'd like to find out where the health data repositories are and I don't just mean with organizations like ICES.

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/About-us/Policy/Spotlight-issues/Personal-information/Patient-records/index.htm


Sharing your patient record can help researchers save and improve lives

Translation Fund
The NHS is creating a new system to share information from patient records to improve care and research, while protecting each person's confidentiality. Everybody in England can choose how information from their patient record is shared in this new system.
As you make up your mind about sharing your records, more than 40 medical research charities and organisations have joined together to tell you more about how your information can be used for medical research and help you find out more about how your information will be kept safe.

Every time you visit an NHS hospital or your GP, information about your health is recorded and stored in your patient record. The NHS uses this information to help provide the best clinical care for you.

Because your patient record contains personal information about your health, it must be handled very carefully and accessed safely and securely, protecting your confidentiality.
Information from your record can also be used to improve healthcare delivery for all patients, and by health researchers who use it to help them understand the causes of disease and to find better treatments.

Update
NHS England has announced that it plans to delay the collection of data from GP surgeries until the autumn and that it will work with patients and professional groups to ensure information is accessible and reaches all sections of the community in order to build confidence in the initiative.

We understand this decision as we believe that, whilst sharing information from medical records is important for medical research and healthcare delivery, the systems for achieving this need to be trusted and understood by everyone. This delay should allow for fuller communications that ensure people are aware of how their data will be collected and used, the safeguards that are in place, and how to exercise their right to object.
Your choices The NHS is contacting you now with information about the changes and your options
FAQs How researchers may access your information
Why do researchers need your information? Read examples of how researchers have used patient information to save and improve lives
Find out more Links to useful websites

Friday, March 4, 2016

Health Informatics is Coming to Hamilton

More than several news stories are reporting about Health Informatics projects coming out or going into Hamilton in the last week or so. The first story was about CareKitHealth, which was a start-up company at The Forge and McMaster Innovation Park. This story broke for me when I read that the company was bought by the British Columbia based mHealth group Moseda.

The second story that really caught the attention of all Hamiltonians was IBM moving into six floors of the seemingly derelict Stelco Tower. The reason why is to do Health Informatics research. I would really like to find out what kind of Health Informatics research IBM will do there but it sounds like Watson Big Health Data Analytics to me. There will probably be many jobs and co-op opportunities for McMaster and Mohawk Health Informatics students, as IBM is partnering with Hamilton Health Sciences.

Then to top that off McMaster Health Sciences researchers scored a very large grant and funding:
A Hamilton team of researchers led by McMaster is receiving a total of $12.3 million to advance a remote monitoring and care system, called SMArTVIEW, for post-operative patients.
The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) today announced a $750,000 grant for the project through its eHealth Innovation Partnership Program (eHIPP).
An additional $11.6 million of in-kind support is coming from industry and other partners for the development and testing of the SMArTVIEW technological system that could save people facing life-threatening complications after surge
See more at: http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/article/innovations-in-wireless-patient-monitoring-and-care-attract-federal-support/ 
Now every time I hear about another Health Hackathon I wish I could have participated more!












Research






March 3, 2016

Innovations in wireless patient monitoring and care attract federal support

A Hamilton team of researchers led by McMaster is receiving a total of $12.3 million to advance a remote monitoring and care system, called SMArTVIEW, for post-operative patients.
The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) today announced a $750,000 grant for the project through its eHealth Innovation Partnership Program (eHIPP).
An additional $11.6 million of in-kind support is coming from industry and other partners for the development and testing of the SMArTVIEW technological system that could save people facing life-threatening complications after surgery.
Tens of thousands of seniors undergo cardiac and vascular surgeries in Canada and the United Kingdom each year, but studies have measured chronic postoperative pain in up to 40 per cent of patients at three months after surgery and hospital readmission at up to one in five patients.
Current systems for monitoring those patients after surgery are “inadequate,” says Michael McGillion. An associate professor of the School of Nursing, McGillion is principal investigator for the project. Co-principal investigator is P.J. Devereaux, professor of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics and medicine for McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
With SMArTVIEW, a wireless information system connects specially-trained nurses to patients through tablets and other wireless devices. The nurses will monitor patients remotely and keep track of vital signs and provide education to improve patients’ recovery.
THE SMArTVIEW stands for TecHnology Enabled remote monitoring and Self-MAnagemenT: VIsion for patient EmpoWerment.
The research, to take place in Ontario and the U.K., will focus on remote, continuous monitoring and recovery support for eight weeks post hospital discharge. Several studies over four years will measure the effectiveness and efficiencies.
The Hamilton-based research team includes members of McMaster, Hamilton Health Sciences, the Population Health Research Institute and Mohawk College, along with members from the University of Toronto and Coventry University in the U.K.
“With SMArTVIEW and this research, we’ll be able to move from futuristic concepts to real-life care that’s in widespread use, based on evidence of real-world impact,” said McGillion.
“We are fortunate to be working with drivers of eHealth innovation including our lead technology partner, Philips Canada, along with QoC Health, a patient-engagement platform; XAHIVE, a secure communications service, and mPath, a mobile application developer.
“Looking ahead, we have the opportunity to reduce the global risk of serious complications following cardiac and vascular surgery by making continuous patient monitoring and virtual support, from hospital to home, a reality.”
The CIHR eHIPP was established to identify patient-oriented eHealth solutions that will improve health outcomes, patient experience and lower health costs, as well as foster partnerships between researchers and industry.
- See more at: http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/article/innovations-in-wireless-patient-monitoring-and-care-attract-federal-support/#sthash.DYvts11Q.g8hE1sD3.dpuf

Research






March 3, 2016

Innovations in wireless patient monitoring and care attract federal support

A Hamilton team of researchers led by McMaster is receiving a total of $12.3 million to advance a remote monitoring and care system, called SMArTVIEW, for post-operative patients.
The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) today announced a $750,000 grant for the project through its eHealth Innovation Partnership Program (eHIPP).
An additional $11.6 million of in-kind support is coming from industry and other partners for the development and testing of the SMArTVIEW technological system that could save people facing life-threatening complications after surgery.
Tens of thousands of seniors undergo cardiac and vascular surgeries in Canada and the United Kingdom each year, but studies have measured chronic postoperative pain in up to 40 per cent of patients at three months after surgery and hospital readmission at up to one in five patients.
Current systems for monitoring those patients after surgery are “inadequate,” says Michael McGillion. An associate professor of the School of Nursing, McGillion is principal investigator for the project. Co-principal investigator is P.J. Devereaux, professor of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics and medicine for McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
With SMArTVIEW, a wireless information system connects specially-trained nurses to patients through tablets and other wireless devices. The nurses will monitor patients remotely and keep track of vital signs and provide education to improve patients’ recovery.
THE SMArTVIEW stands for TecHnology Enabled remote monitoring and Self-MAnagemenT: VIsion for patient EmpoWerment.
The research, to take place in Ontario and the U.K., will focus on remote, continuous monitoring and recovery support for eight weeks post hospital discharge. Several studies over four years will measure the effectiveness and efficiencies.
The Hamilton-based research team includes members of McMaster, Hamilton Health Sciences, the Population Health Research Institute and Mohawk College, along with members from the University of Toronto and Coventry University in the U.K.
“With SMArTVIEW and this research, we’ll be able to move from futuristic concepts to real-life care that’s in widespread use, based on evidence of real-world impact,” said McGillion.
“We are fortunate to be working with drivers of eHealth innovation including our lead technology partner, Philips Canada, along with QoC Health, a patient-engagement platform; XAHIVE, a secure communications service, and mPath, a mobile application developer.
“Looking ahead, we have the opportunity to reduce the global risk of serious complications following cardiac and vascular surgery by making continuous patient monitoring and virtual support, from hospital to home, a reality.”
The CIHR eHIPP was established to identify patient-oriented eHealth solutions that will improve health outcomes, patient experience and lower health costs, as well as foster partnerships between researchers and industry.
- See more at: http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/article/innovations-in-wireless-patient-monitoring-and-care-attract-federal-support/#sthash.DYvts11Q.g8hE1sD3.dpuf

Research






March 3, 2016

Innovations in wireless patient monitoring and care attract federal support

A Hamilton team of researchers led by McMaster is receiving a total of $12.3 million to advance a remote monitoring and care system, called SMArTVIEW, for post-operative patients.
The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) today announced a $750,000 grant for the project through its eHealth Innovation Partnership Program (eHIPP).
An additional $11.6 million of in-kind support is coming from industry and other partners for the development and testing of the SMArTVIEW technological system that could save people facing life-threatening complications after surgery.
Tens of thousands of seniors undergo cardiac and vascular surgeries in Canada and the United Kingdom each year, but studies have measured chronic postoperative pain in up to 40 per cent of patients at three months after surgery and hospital readmission at up to one in five patients.
Current systems for monitoring those patients after surgery are “inadequate,” says Michael McGillion. An associate professor of the School of Nursing, McGillion is principal investigator for the project. Co-principal investigator is P.J. Devereaux, professor of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics and medicine for McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
With SMArTVIEW, a wireless information system connects specially-trained nurses to patients through tablets and other wireless devices. The nurses will monitor patients remotely and keep track of vital signs and provide education to improve patients’ recovery.
THE SMArTVIEW stands for TecHnology Enabled remote monitoring and Self-MAnagemenT: VIsion for patient EmpoWerment.
The research, to take place in Ontario and the U.K., will focus on remote, continuous monitoring and recovery support for eight weeks post hospital discharge. Several studies over four years will measure the effectiveness and efficiencies.
The Hamilton-based research team includes members of McMaster, Hamilton Health Sciences, the Population Health Research Institute and Mohawk College, along with members from the University of Toronto and Coventry University in the U.K.
“With SMArTVIEW and this research, we’ll be able to move from futuristic concepts to real-life care that’s in widespread use, based on evidence of real-world impact,” said McGillion.
“We are fortunate to be working with drivers of eHealth innovation including our lead technology partner, Philips Canada, along with QoC Health, a patient-engagement platform; XAHIVE, a secure communications service, and mPath, a mobile application developer.
“Looking ahead, we have the opportunity to reduce the global risk of serious complications following cardiac and vascular surgery by making continuous patient monitoring and virtual support, from hospital to home, a reality.”
The CIHR eHIPP was established to identify patient-oriented eHealth solutions that will improve health outcomes, patient experience and lower health costs, as well as foster partnerships between researchers and industry.
- See more at: http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/article/innovations-in-wireless-patient-monitoring-and-care-attract-federal-support/#sthash.DYvts11Q.g8hE1sD3.dpuf

Research






March 3, 2016

Innovations in wireless patient monitoring and care attract federal support

A Hamilton team of researchers led by McMaster is receiving a total of $12.3 million to advance a remote monitoring and care system, called SMArTVIEW, for post-operative patients.
The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) today announced a $750,000 grant for the project through its eHealth Innovation Partnership Program (eHIPP).
An additional $11.6 million of in-kind support is coming from industry and other partners for the development and testing of the SMArTVIEW technological system that could save people facing life-threatening complications after surgery.
Tens of thousands of seniors undergo cardiac and vascular surgeries in Canada and the United Kingdom each year, but studies have measured chronic postoperative pain in up to 40 per cent of patients at three months after surgery and hospital readmission at up to one in five patients.
Current systems for monitoring those patients after surgery are “inadequate,” says Michael McGillion. An associate professor of the School of Nursing, McGillion is principal investigator for the project. Co-principal investigator is P.J. Devereaux, professor of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics and medicine for McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
With SMArTVIEW, a wireless information system connects specially-trained nurses to patients through tablets and other wireless devices. The nurses will monitor patients remotely and keep track of vital signs and provide education to improve patients’ recovery.
THE SMArTVIEW stands for TecHnology Enabled remote monitoring and Self-MAnagemenT: VIsion for patient EmpoWerment.
The research, to take place in Ontario and the U.K., will focus on remote, continuous monitoring and recovery support for eight weeks post hospital discharge. Several studies over four years will measure the effectiveness and efficiencies.
The Hamilton-based research team includes members of McMaster, Hamilton Health Sciences, the Population Health Research Institute and Mohawk College, along with members from the University of Toronto and Coventry University in the U.K.
“With SMArTVIEW and this research, we’ll be able to move from futuristic concepts to real-life care that’s in widespread use, based on evidence of real-world impact,” said McGillion.
“We are fortunate to be working with drivers of eHealth innovation including our lead technology partner, Philips Canada, along with QoC Health, a patient-engagement platform; XAHIVE, a secure communications service, and mPath, a mobile application developer.
“Looking ahead, we have the opportunity to reduce the global risk of serious complications following cardiac and vascular surgery by making continuous patient monitoring and virtual support, from hospital to home, a reality.”
The CIHR eHIPP was established to identify patient-oriented eHealth solutions that will improve health outcomes, patient experience and lower health costs, as well as foster partnerships between researchers and industry.
- See more at: http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/article/innovations-in-wireless-patient-monitoring-and-care-attract-federal-support/#sthash.DYvts11Q.g8hE1sD3.dpuf

Monday, February 29, 2016

BlueCloud clinical research informatics


I got this email from Dr. Greg Koski and the ACRES group the other day.  Dr. Koski is working in area which I have alluded to in a few previous blog posts on clinical research informatics.


ACRES Announces Second Phase of Collaborative IT Platform to Support Clinical Research
Cambridge, MA -- The Alliance for Clinical Research Excellence and Safety (ACRES) announces a major advance toward a shared, open information technology platform for all-user integration across the biomedical research enterprise.   

 Follow us on Twitter @acresglobal
The Alliance for Clinical Research Excellence and Safety (ACRES), the global public-interest collaboration building a comprehensive system to transform clinical research, today announced a major second step toward full implementation of a multi-stakeholder shared information technology platform.
Technology solutions to enhance clinical trial performance are multiplying rapidly, but their usefulness is limited by their lack of connectivity and inter-operability. The new platform, dubbed Apollo, provides a shared infrastructure to support the functional integration of existing technologies, including electronic health records (EHRs), electronic data capture (EDC) systems and clinical trial management systems (CTMS), and to enable data exchange and aggregation critical for development and implementation of “big data” analytics essential for next-generation methods for remote monitoring and auditing, real-time pharmacovigilance, and continuous quality improvement enterprise-wide. 

The first phase of the ACRES global IT platform, built on the BlueCloud® 2.0 Networking Technology developed by ACRES’ Austin-based strategic ally HealthCarePoint, provided a common platform for users worldwide to share vital research study documents, including training documentation and verifiable professional credentials essential for study start-up. 

With nearly 1,000,000 current member-users in healthcare, research, and industry globally, the BlueCloud® is already benefiting sponsors, CROs, investigators, research sites, regulatory agencies and ethics committees worldwide. Now, the second phase of this global collaborative platform, spearheaded by ACRES strategic partner HealthIDx, includes initial roll-out of a federated trust framework for secure enterprise-wide identity management and single sign-on access to multiple end-user applications on the ACRES Apollo platform. Apollo utilizes a proven cloud-based integration platform—originally developed by Detroit-based Covisint to support the complex supply chain, distribution and marketing logistics of the automotive industry—to enable seamless connectivity and inter-operability of multiple applications across the industry’s diverse stakeholders, including sites, sponsors, CRO/SMOs, regulatory agencies and supply chain providers and ethics committees.
“We are delighted to be working with ACRES and its many allies in this important effort,” said J. Scott Lowry, Founder and CEO of HealthIDx. “In this next phase, which includes secure cloud-based data exchange, aggregation, visualization, and analysis, we are addressing critical challenges of security, multi-user identity management, and fine-grain access control.” Lowry further noted that several technology applications, including the BlueCloud®, have been integrated via open APIs onto the ACRES Apollo platform and more such integrations are planned, including platforms of other organizations, thereby extending their power, connectedness and effectiveness. 

“The ability to acquire and exchange data seamlessly among a wide array of EHR, EDC and CTMS platforms within a secure cloud-based environment and move them into shared data vaults where they can be used in real-time will support clinical research performance, quality, safety and oversight as never before,” said Greg Koski, ACRES co-founder and CEO. “Apollo provides the ability to achieve true connectivity among the many applications already in use, as well as new applications being developed, across the entire drug development and clinical trials endeavor, saving time and money for all, while creating innovative opportunities for creativity, efficiency and effectiveness.” 

“This is a collaborative effort,” added ACRES COO Matt Whalen. “Rather than create a proprietary platform, ACRES is deploying a robust integration platform that can connect all stakeholders, whatever applications they currently use, in a timely and cost-effective manner. The power of this approach lies in what can be done through the application of soft systems engineering and the use of standards developed by organizations like OASIS, ICE, CDISC, GS1 and SAFE Biopharma.” 

The Apollo platform also incorporates an “app store” to take advantage of the several technologies and point solution capabilities available to users, working in parallel with second-level integrations of EHR, EDC, CTMS and data management systems. A live demonstration of the Apollo’s robust systems capabilities for multiple high-value use-cases is planned in the second quarter of 2016. Click here to obtain a diagram of the ACRES Global System supported by the Apollo platform or to submit information regarding integration of your application into the system.
---
ACRES Press Release Logo - smallestThe Alliance for Clinical Research and Excellence (ACRES) is a non-profit leveraging the expertise of stakeholders worldwide to collaboratively build a shared global system for clinical trials that are responsibly conducted according to the highest standards of safety, quality and efficiency, based in principles of Accountable Research™. Adapting lessons from industries that have successfully implemented principles of systems and safety engineering, this global system will employ integrated information technologies as well as interoperable standards, policies and practices to enhance clinical research safety, quality and efficiency worldwide. For more information, please contact Dr. Mary F. Tobin or call +1 (844) 60-ACRES (22737).
iiBIG_smalliiBIG (International Institute for Business Information & Growth LLC) is a boutique conference organization dedicated to producing business-to-business conferences and seminars for senior-level executives in three (3) business verticals: (1) Financial services/Investment; (2) IT/Cloud technology; and, (3) Life sciences/Clinical research sectors. We provide learning and networking settings for BIG thinkers – those who occupy the highest levels in their companies and organizations. iiBIG is also proud to be an ACRES Strategic Ally.

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Saturday, January 30, 2016

Cristal-Net - Quebec's Province Wide EMR Solution

C'etait tres interesant pour moi d'apprend que "Cristal-Net" devoir la seule EHR dans la province de Quebec! La seule! It started as a home grown system at the University of Laval and their affiliated hospital. I think they also had help from a programming group from France. Makes a lot of sense to have french language programmers. I am all in favour of home grown systems.

It is remarkable that the Province of Quebec government was able to pass legislation making this Hospital EHR system the only one that will be used in all the hospitals in the province! How is that possible? This is a very interesting story, one that could probably never be played out in Ontario. I remember a few years back after an eHealth Ontario scandal when the McMaster OSCAR EMR was being offered as an open source solution for healthcare records at vastly lower costs.  Of course, business and project management interests seem to drive the EHR solution in Ontario more than the government regulated healthcare system. Quebec definitely has a different culture! Smaller countries like Denmark where able to achieve 100% EHR integration for all their citizens very early. By culture I mean "the way of doing things".

http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/sante/201512/19/01-4932869-dossiers-cliniques-informatises-le-choix-de-cristal-net-est-un-coup-de-maitre-selon-barrette.php

"Québec) Le gouvernement Couillard a finalement décidé qu'une seule solution informatique, Cristal-Net, sera déployée dans l'ensemble du territoire québécois pour la mise en oeuvre des fameux dossiers cliniques informatisés (DCI). Une nouvelle qui réjouit le directeur des technologies de l'information du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Jean Boulanger, qui a permis à son établissement d'obtenir l'entièreté des droits de propriété intellectuelle du logiciel pour la province."

The story in English is best read here:
http://www.canhealth.com/blog/quebec-moves-to-a-single-province-wide-ehr/
"QUEBEC CITY – Health Minister Gaétan Barrette (pictured) announced that Quebec will move toward the use of a single electronic health record system in hospitals across the province. The solution decided upon by the province is called Cristal-Net, and it has been in use at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec – Université Laval since 2003.
“The decision to deploy a single solution for Electronic Medical Record is part of our efforts to standardize practices within our health and social services, clinically and financially and administratively,” said Barrette. “This will benefit clinicians and all users.”


Thursday, January 7, 2016

Adopting Patient Portals

Interesting article on why patient portals have not caught on yet:

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/unlocking-the-value-of-patient-portals-3-thoughts-from-athenahealth.html


Unlocking the value of patient portals: 3 thoughts from athenahealth


Patient portals are meant to conveniently connect patients and providers, but adoption of these tools lags despite a mounting demand from patients for this very capability.


Linking

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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Kaiser Survey Links Portal Use With Improved Perceptions of Health | Healthcare Informatics Magazine | Health IT | Information Technology

Kaiser Survey Links Portal Use With Improved Perceptions of Health | Healthcare Informatics Magazine | Health IT | Information Technology

I posted this link automatically after the story turned up in my google search RSS feed. The website with this Kaiser Survey story had over 280 reference (or Add This ) RSS icon links for sharing the story. I often share stories to my Twitter feed which also has an eHealth theme. My Facebook feed is mostly for personal stories. I can remember before Facebook when RSS was just developing, what a liberation it was from the inbox. Some email programs had a way to receive RSS feeds into a local folder or there was a browser navigation item where one could store the RSS links, kind of like bookmarks. These days I am told that the younger kids don't even read email - they are just message chatting on their smartphones or other social media sites. I still think RSS - Real Simple Syndication - is the greatest technological invention since newspaper publishing. In fact, I have "health informatics" set in a google search feed, which is just an RSS program.

RSS is programmed in XML. I took a course in XML once and started creating my own RSS feeds on the websites I had created. It was not that difficult. XML is also the basis for the HL7 standard for health records and interoperability. It is too bad that more personalized RSS "news" doesn't come into our google or other email accounts in terms of our own personal health records. I personally don't see the interoperable difficulty in doing that. Add to that developments in "web services", API, and inter-database sharing platforms like REST, and there are a lot of open doors for data sharing.

This eHealth enabled browser blog is dedicated to eHealth. Personal health records are a major interest that I like to share with others. After doing research for 5 years on PHR I still think they have many decades to go before they will be widely used. I could be mistaken here, but I just don't think the technology is ripe for wide spread PHR use. It is just not the technology, it is also the social awareness of health and wellness that is lacking.  Newer forms of technology might enable an evolution of this awareness - hard to say. A friend of mine who I follow on Facebook recalled the time in his university in 1990 when he and a colleague decide to get email accounts so they could stay in touch. They could not convince anyone else to use email because no one could see the reason for using a technology that no one else was using.

To get back to this story about the Kaiser Survey that showed that people thought that their health was improving because of using a PHR, I think that there is a need to find more evidence that PHRs can be a technological tool physicians may ultimately prescribe to help their patients. 

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Fall Prevention - From the Optimal Aging Portal

I volunteer with McMaster Family Medicine in the Tapestry program. We visit seniors who have volunteered to be in this research study. We bring an iPad and take a health survey. We also ask if they want to sign in to the McMaster Personal Health Record, which is integrated into the OSCAR EMR.  Many of the clients we have met have had falls.

Just saw this article on the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal about fall prevention. Because I have practiced Tai Chi for more several decades, and because I value the work of the Portal and the plain language systematic reviews and evidence based research they present to the public, I will post this here. It would be great if more people, both citizens and health professionals, could subscribe to the Portal.

Steady on your feet: New ways to improve balance and avoid falls


Dec 18, 2015
When it comes to keeping your feet safely on the ground – metaphorically and literally – it’s all about balance. But like many other things we take for granted when we’re young (strength, endurance, bone density, a full head of hair...) our sense of balance declines as we age. That’s one reason why older adults are at greater risk of falling and potentially becoming seriously hurt or even dying as a result (1).

Past research has shown that regular physical activity can help prevent falls, particularly when it includes exercises and movements designed to improve balance (2). Tai Chi for example, is recommended for its various benefits, including improving strength and balance through slow, controlled movements (3,4).

But if Tai Chi isn’t for you, there are other options you many want to consider. One recent systematic review of six studies measured the benefits of Pilates, a mind-body exercise program that has been popular since the early 20thcentury. Like Tai Chi, it involves controlled movements and concentrates on flexibility, strength, posture and breathing (5). Each study included older adult participants who took part in group Pilates sessions. The exercises varied (mat exercises as well as exercises using elastic bands, weights or other equipment), and included at least 2hrs of Pilates each week. The study participants were compared with a control group who kept up their usual daily activities but did not take Pilates.

Another emerging form of balance training that is gaining attention for its novel approach is “perturbation-based balance training” or balance recovery training. It focuses on improving people’s reaction time and helping them better recover from a loss of balance (6). Training can include equipment (such as moving platforms), or manual interference (such as nudges by a therapist) to enhance your ability to react and stop yourself from falling.

A recent systematic review of eight randomized controlled trials examined whether perturbation-based balance training lowers the risk for falls in older adults as well as people with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (6). More than 400 people between the ages of 50 and 98 took part in perturbation-based balance training and were compared with those in control group who participated in other types of balance enhancing exercises.

What the research tells us

Both Pilates and perturbation-based balance training appear to be promising strategies for helping older adults avoid falls and the resulting serious consequences.

Despite limitations in the quality of the Pilates studies the results suggest that Pilates is a promising way to help improve balance (5). So far the evidence on perturbation-based balance training is also encouraging: participants completing the training reported fewer falls and were less likely to fall, compared with those in the control groups (6). Further research is needed but there is cautious optimism that this approach may help people react and recover their balance more quickly so that a slip or trip doesn’t necessarily have to end in a fall.

Not sure which balance training exercises are best for you? Ask your doctor or physical therapist, or give these activities a try! At the same time, be aware of hazards and take the necessary precautions (e.g. good lighting, clear pathways, secure handrails etc.) so that you remain surefooted and safe as you enjoy an active lifestyle (7).


The Bottom Line

  • Older adults have a greater chance of falling and experiencing serious injury or even death.
  • Exercises aimed at improving balance have been shown to help prevent falls.
  • Initial studies of Pilates exercises (involving controlled movements to build flexibility, strength and posture) suggest it has the potential to improve balance.
  • Balance-recovery training aims to improve reaction time after a loss of balance and also appears to help lower risk of falls.
  • More high quality studies are needed to learn more about the benefits of Pilates and balance-recovery training.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Falls among older adults: an overview. [Internet] 2012. [cited Dec 2015] Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationsafety/falls/adultfalls.html.
  2. Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Gillespie WJ et al. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012; 9:CD.007146.
  3. Mat S, Tan MP, Kamaruzzaman SB, et al. Physical therapies for improving balance and reducing falls risk in osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review. Age Ageing. 2015; 44:16-24.
  4. Leung DP, Chan CK, Tsang HW, et al. Tai chi as an intervention to improve balance and reduce falls in older adults: A systematic and meta-analytical review. Altern Ther Health Med. 2011; 17:40-48.
  5. Barker, AL, Bird M, Talevki J. Effects of Pilates exercise for improving balance in older adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015; 96:715-723.
  6. Mansfield A, Wong JS, Bryce J et al. Does perturbation-based balance training prevent falls? Systematic review and meta-analysis of preliminary randomized controlled trials. Phys Ther. 2015; 95:700-709.
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Optimal Aging Portal Blog Team

The latest scientific evidence on this topic was reviewed by the McMaster Optimal Aging team. Blog Posts are written by a professional writer, assessed for accuracy by Dr. Maureen Dobbins, an expert in interpreting and communicating the scientific literature, and edited by a professional editor. There are no conflicts of interest.