Research by academics at Northumbria
University, Newcastle, has confirmed the health benefits of a strength and
balancing programme prescribed for older adults who are at risk of falling and
injury, delivered by Healthworks.
Working in collaboration with Newcastle-based
community health charity Healthworks, the research team at Northumbria have just had their findings
on the Staying Steady programme published in the influential journal BMCPublic Health. Led by Dr Alasdair O’Doherty, a senior lecturer in Exercise,
Physiology and Health at Northumbria, and supported by PhD student Emily James,
the study analysed patient outcomes over a six-year period. They were able to
show clear benefits for those who stayed in the programme by improving
their strength and balance, boosting
confidence, and reducing their fear of falling.
Staying Steady is a 27-week
tailored strength and balance programme for older adults who have been referred
by healthcare professionals, or have applied directly, due to a history or risk
of falling.
Dr O’Doherty said: “Falls
prevention exercise programmes like Staying Steady can make a real difference; simply
having the ability and confidence to get out of a chair and walk around is so
important for physical wellbeing, quality of life and independence. However, promoting
the success of these community-delivered interventions and understanding more
about participants who stick with the full programme, or dropout early, has been
hampered by a lack of studies using real-world data. Our research sought to
address this to provide the evidence base for Healthworks and other community
providers to expand their programmes and help more people.
“By conducting a six-year retrospective
study we have shown empirically that Staying Steady is beneficial and improves
the strength and balance of participants who stay in the programme. We also
noted some important characteristics of people who dropped out of the programme
such as having lung disease, or being from a low-income background. Having our
research published in BMC Public Health is great news and should help raise
awareness of how valuable the programmes are.”
Collaboration with community groups
and charities to help people live well for longer and improve quality of life
is a rapidly emerging field of research for Northumbria. For more information
on working with the University please visit: www.northumbria.ac.uk/business
Healthworks is one of the leading
North East charities working with disadvantaged local communities to tackle
health inequalities and improve their health and wellbeing. Based in Newcastle,
but working across the region. Healthworks Patron is Professor Michael Marmot.
Paul Court, CEO of Healthworks said:
“The risk of falling can have a huge impact on quality of life. Through our collaboration
with Northumbria University, we have been able to evidence Staying Steady is a
cost-effective intervention that keeps people out of hospital, and ensures they
can live safely at home as long as possible, reducing pressure on NHS and
Social Care services.
“Healthworks is collaborating on
other studies with the University and I’m hoping this is just the start of a
long relationship.”
For more
information on Healthworks please visit: www.healthworksnewcastle.org.uk
