Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, often resulting in severe consequences such as fractures, hospitalizations, and even fatalities. The StandingTall app aims to address this critical issue by implementing effective fall prevention strategies tailored to the needs of our aging population. Through community engagement, education, and innovative solutions, It empowers older Australians to take charge of their safety and well-being.
Falls can be prevented, and the newly launched app StandingTall indicates that engaging and adaptable content can facilitate large-scale prevention, according to NeuRA’s Professor Kim Delbaere.
After more than a decade of research, development, and clinical trials, the not-for-profit research institute Neuroscience Research Australia has officially launched its falls prevention app StandingTall.
Developed in collaboration with digital health specialists The Miroma Project Factory, StandingTall is a clinically validated and self-managed exercise program co-designed with older Australians to enhance balance and reduce falls among individuals aged 60 and above.
The discussion about whether individuals would feel comfortable using an app began in 2012, initial trials commenced in 2014, and a clinical trial involving 500 participants aimed at reducing falls was conducted in 2014. Professor Kim Delbaere, Director of Innovation and Translation at NeuRA’s Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre, expressed that it is “so exciting” to see it finally available to the public.
Dr. Delbaere points out that despite the program being tailored for older adults who are not accustomed to technology, they are particularly inclined towards app usage.
“We have traversed a complete process where we meticulously examined every detail, every single button,” she explained.
One of the insights Dr. Delbaere shared regarding the development process is that older adults prefer to know what will happen if they press a certain button, as they are concerned about the possibility of breaking it.
“And the approach we adopt is to create large buttons that clearly articulate their functions… nothing patronizing, simply being very clear, which makes it easier for users,” Dr. Delbaere stated.
StandingTall was created with the involvement of older Australians at every stage, paying close attention to their requirements and preferences for a home-based exercise program,” she remarked.
“The exciting part is observing our research and clinical data being converted into a practical application, something that people can engage with daily to manage their health and remain steady on their feet.”
Dr. Delbaere indicated that the app offers more than 800 progressive exercises aimed at improving balance, tailored to the user’s skill level.
The app operates offline, does not necessitate any special equipment for the exercises, and the content automatically evolves as the user advances, which Dr. Delbaere emphasized makes it ideal for home settings and aged care facilities, particularly in rural and remote communities.
Following clinical trials involving over 1,000 individuals, there was a 19 percent decline in falls, a 20 percent decline in injurious falls among low-risk groups, and a 42 percent decline in high-risk groups.
The first clinical trial lasted for over two years, and after this period, more than half of the participants were still using the app for two hours each week without any prompting from the research team.
“We have some exceptionally talented super users who have been utilizing the app for approximately ten years, essentially due to their involvement in our trials,” she noted.
They have also conducted trials for individuals with dementia, those with cognitive impairments, and stroke patients, as well as implementation trials in community aged care.
“We now have confidence that we can lower the occurrence of falls, and we can also lessen the injuries that result from falls, which is a financial burden for the individual, as it can often lead to disability, but it is also a cost to the public and the public health system,” she explained.
“StandingTall tackles this issue by making balance exercises easily accessible at home. This solution is aimed at safeguarding the health, confidence, and quality of life of older adults, while also relieving pressure on our healthcare system,” she commented.
The StandingTall team hopes that the government will invest in fall prevention solutions like the app, as it can be implemented on a large scale without the necessity of having health services in close proximity, Dr. Delbaere remarked.
“What is particularly exciting is our capacity to offer fall prevention to everyone, regardless of their location, whether in remote areas or urban environments. Even in cities, not everyone has the means to travel to a group class or desires to attend one… there can often be more social isolation in urban areas than in remote locations, making this a scalable addition to preventive public health strategies,” Dr. Delbaere expounded.
The StandingTall team is working alongside aged care providers and health services to provide the program at a reduced or no cost; however, it is currently available for download with a subscription fee of $30 per month.