Fall Detection and Prevention System for the Elderly
Fall Detection and Prevention System for the Elderly
There is an urgent need for developing monitoring systems that can detect near-falls and
 alert persons who suffer from subsequently falls. Therefore, investigators propose a project
 to study the clinical application of a fall detection and prevention system for reducing
 falls in the elderly.

 The main objectives of the project are to develop the fall detection and prevention system
 and to investigate its effectiveness in preventing falls for the elderly. Eighty elderly will
 be recruited and randomly allocated into either the experimental or sham groups (n=40 for
 each group). Subjects in the experimental group will wear the fall detection and prevention
 system on the lower back. The system records near-fall and fall events; meanwhile, it alarms
 subjects while detecting near-fall events and alarms caregivers while detecting fall events.
 In the sham group, subjects wear a sham system with record but no alert function. Both groups
 will receive the same treadmill walking training for 30 minutes per session, 3 sessions per
 week for 6 weeks. The outcome measures including falls, balance function, gait ability,
 physical activity, and quality of life will be assessed before intervention, after
 intervention, and at 6-months follow-up.

 Fall-induced physiological and psychological consequences limit daily activities and reduce
 quality of life in the elderly. The proposed study innovates a system that not only detects
 but also alarms users to prevent falls. Moreover, quantitative measurement of such fall
 detection and prevention system will be investigated for the elderly in this project. This
 study provides practical and efficacy solutions to prevent falls for home and community
 settings.
Fall prevention is the most important issue for the elderly. Due to the low cost and
 convenience of wearable devices, numerous techniques have been developed to detect falls in
 clinical environment. However, such effects with large populations have not been established
 for the elderly. Another, existing systems mainly focus on detecting a fall with little
 emphasis on fall prediction and prevention. There is an urgent need for developing monitoring
 systems that can detect near-falls and alert persons who suffer from subsequently falls.
 Therefore, investigators propose a project to study the clinical application of a fall
 detection and prevention system for reducing falls in the elderly.

 The main objectives of the project are to develop the fall detection and prevention system
 and to investigate its effectiveness in preventing falls for the elderly. Eighty elderly will
 be recruited and randomly allocated into either the experimental or sham groups (n=40 for
 each group). Subjects in the experimental group will wear the fall detection and prevention
 system on the lower back. The system records near-fall and fall events; meanwhile, it alarms
 subjects while detecting near-fall events and alarms caregivers while detecting fall events.
 In the sham group, subjects wear a sham system with record but no alert function. Both groups
 will receive the same treadmill walking training for 30 minutes per session, 3 sessions per
 week for 6 weeks. The outcome measures including falls, balance function, gait ability,
 physical activity, and quality of life will be assessed before intervention, after
 intervention, and at 6-months follow-up.

 Fall-induced physiological and psychological consequences limit daily activities and reduce
 quality of life in the elderly. The proposed study innovates a system that not only detects
 but also alarms users to prevent falls. Moreover, quantitative measurement of such fall
 detection and prevention system will be investigated for the elderly in this project. This
 study provides practical and efficacy solutions to prevent falls for home and community
 settings.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Age ≥ 65 years

 -  Able to walk independently for at least 5 m with or without the use of stick, quad
 stick or AFO

 -  With a history or fear of falls

 -  Able to follow the commands

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  With a severe cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal or neurological disorder