Sunday 13 August 2017

AGM2017: HSP Falls Study Results - Rebecca Chapman

Rebecca is completing her dissertation at Plymouth University, looking at the characteristics of falls and predictors of falls in HSP. She gave us an overview of the results obtained so far.

Rebecca outlined her approach - One of the main problems identified by a patient group l;ast year was falls. This a self-reported study, i.e. participants in the study report things that occur to them rather than being quizzed about things. The study is a two stage approach. Participants firstly describe details about themselves and recall any falls that have happened in the past, and for the following three months participants record falls and send details in to Rebecca. These stages are the retrospective stage and the prospective stage. Rebecca had feedback on the approach through the HSP group meetings in Ashburton, Devon.

There was an initial trial with 5 participants, and the members of the group were recruited to take part. There were around 70 who expressed an interest, with 59 participants in the retrospective study and (at the time) 47 completing the propspective study. Rebecca gave us details looking at the results of the retrospective study.

The balance was 28 female and 31 male, with an average age of 60 (standard deviation 14 years). On average participants had had HSP for 25 years (standard deviation 17 years).  15 participants have SPG4 and 7 have SPG7

Two thirds of people have fallen at least once, and just over half of people had fallen more than once (32 people). On overage there have been 2 falls per person. 86% of falls have occurred indoors, but Rebecca didnt look at the proportion of time spent indoors and outdoors. Of the indoor falls 21 were unable to get up unaided. 2/3 of people got a family member to help them up, 1/6 of people used someone external to help them up, and 1/6 used both family members and external help. Of those using external help 3 called a paramedic to help them get up.

Around two thirds (64%) have injured themselves with falls. Whilst most injuries are mild, and most are on the hip, around half injured themselves in multiple locations.

Rebecca looked at the data given by participants to examine possible predictors of falls, with the most likely ones being age and use of crutches. Most participants were aged between 55 and 65 with an average age of HSP onset of 40 - i.e. there has been some mobility impairment due to HSP.

It is known that some medication makes people drowsy. There was an average of 4 medications per person. The results were that this is a possible predictor, but were not statistically significant.

Co-ordination was also examined, as participants are frequently need to use their arms to help sit/stand, but again, these results were not statistically significant.

Looking further at the detail, falls indoors were often associated with everyday activities - cleaning and using the stairs. People on crutches tended to be more mobile than others, and younger.

Looking at the future, issues could be helping people to develop a falls strategy, giving both patients and family members falls training, and investigating falls aids. Rebecca mentioned paraladders (I cant find a good UK website - here is one from the US http://www.beachwheelchair.com/paraladder.htm - there are also various youtube videos of people using this).

How does this study help?
* It provides evidence of falls with HSP, and the report should open access to existing therapies
* It sets out a strategy for improvements and training to reduce the risk of falls (i.e. to stop falls happening in the first place)
* It helps people look at changes they can make - perhaps balance training or modifying doses of medications to alter the balance between stiffness and the number of falls
* It gives evidence that people need to be taught how to get up, or aids to help themselves to get up.

Rebecca noted that the average NHS charge for an ambulance is £1200, so giving aids or teaching for people to get themselves up, which would reduce the number of ambulances going to help people, could be a cost effective for the NHS.



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