Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Program
Grant Description
In May 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL) awarded a three-year grant to Winston-Salem State University and its partners, in the amount of $147,626.00. Investigators on grant project included: Dr. Sara Migliarese (PI), Dr. Nancy Smith, Dr. Christina Criminger, and Dr. LaVerene Garner from the Department of Physical Therapy, Dr. Megan Edwards Collins and Dr. Cynthia Bell from the Department of Occupational Therapy, and Karen Bartoletti from the Northwest YMCA.
The purpose of the grant/study is to determine the effectiveness of each of the three evidence-based falls prevention programs listed below, in decreasing fall risk and preventing future falls in older adults in the Northwestern Piedmont area.
- Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance
- A Matter of Balance
- Otago Exercise Program
Following a one-year extension, the ACL grant data collection period officially ended on May 30, 2023. The grant team is currently analyzing data and anticipate dissemination of results in Summer 2024, in the Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation peer-reviewed journal.
Winston-Salem State University and its partners aimed to achieve the following goals:
- Engage 400 older adults and adults with disabilities in an evidence-based falls prevention program, 100 of whom are underserved
- Results: A total of 427 adults engaged in programming
- Train 12 new instructors
- Results: 8 "Moving for Better Balance" trained instructors, 3 "Matter of Balance" trained instructors, and 110 Otago certified instructors
- Demonstrate improvements in all balance and functional measures for program participants
- Results: Data analysis on-going with dissemination anticipated in Summer 2024
- Decrease fall risk and incidence of falls
- Results: Data analysis on-going with dissemination anticipated in Summer 2024, though preliminary analysis is promising
- Establish a Falls Coalition that communicates quarterly and has at least 10 members
- Results: The "Piedmont Area Falls Prevention Coalition" was established and provides quarterly meetings to over 30 members
To achieve the goals of the grant, Winston-Salem State University collaborated with the following key partners:
- Community Care Center
- North Carolina Alliance of YMCA’s
- North Carolina Center for Health & Wellness at UNC Asheville
- North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services
- Piedmont Triad Regional Council
- Senior Services, Inc.
- YMCA of Northwest North Carolina
Contact Information:
Primary Investigator
Dr. Sara Migliarese, PT, PhD
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Winston-Salem State University
(336) 750-8968
Grant Funding Agency
Administration for Community Living
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC 20201
Resources:
North Carolina Falls Prevention Coalition
NC Division of Public Health- Chronic Disease and Injury Section
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Piedmont Area Falls Prevention Coalition
Area Agency on Aging
Piedmont Triad Regional Council
Healthy Aging NC
NC Center for Health & Wellness
University of North Carolina Asheville
