GaitBetter: Preventing falls in the elderly
Falls are common in old age where the consequences can be significant.
The following article will help you understand why and introduce you to GaitBetter, an innovative and unique system developed for preventing falls in the elderly. Read on…
Some facts about falls in old age
You should probably know the following figure: one in three people in old age falls at least once a year.
The risk of falling increases with age.
Many of the falls occur while walking outside the home.
Although a fall may sound pretty routine and not very serious, some falls can cause injuries, fractures, a deterioration in function, and even death when it comes to old age..
What factors can lead to falls?
The causes behind falls can be roughly divided into external factors – such as environmental hazards and internal factors.
Until recently, addressing internal factors, mainly involved treating the physical condition of the adult: muscle weakness, imbalance, decreased hearing, impaired vision and more.
In recent years, studies have found another important factor: There is a strong correlation between a decrease in cognitive abilities and an increase in falls.
New solutions for preventing falls in the elderly are now in great demand.
Train the body and mind
As mentioned above, recent studies indicate a link between a decrease in cognitive abilities related to managerial functions (attention distribution, working memory, walking planning, decision making) and quality of walking and the risk of falling.
From this we now understand that physical, motor-only training does not provide a satisfactory solution to reducing the risk of falls.
GaitBetter, a unique and innovative system based on motor-cognitive training technology, was developed in order to provide a combined motor-cognitive solution and reduce the risk of falls.
The system was developed by a multidisciplinary international team of neurologists, researchers, physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists, who combined treadmill walking with cognitive training using a virtual reality add-on.
In the five years that the GaitBetter’s technology has been in clinical use, thousands of patients have benefited from a considerable improvement in walking ability and a significant reduction in the number of falls.
Challenges of walking from everyday life alongside cognitive practice
The GaitBetter therapy program consists of a series of 15 training sessions, that take place several times a week.
During training, the patient walks on a treadmill, the patient’s feet are tracked and are incorporated into a virtual simulation replicating everyday challenges.
The patient is required to negotiate obstacles on foot, planning steps accordingly, while at the same time dealing with cognitive tasks that require real-time decisions, as well as practicing attention distribution and memory training.
During treatment, the patient is attached to a harness that ensures a risk-free safe training environment..
GaitBetter proven effective in reducing the risk of falls
GaitBetter’s treatment methods have proven effective in an international study led by world-renowned scholars in the field of movement and cognition.
According to the results of the study, which took place in medical centers across Europe, among participants treated through the GaitBetter system, there was a 50% decrease in the number of falls in the six months after the training period, compared to the previous six months..
The results of the study were published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet.
How else might you reduce the risk of falls?
Together with GaitBetter training, there are several actions and activities that could minimize the risk of falls in old age:
- Maintaining safety at home
- Consult with your attending physician regarding the correct and safe use of medications
- Use walking, sight and hearing aids if necessary
- Exercising as part of your daily routine
- If you have fallen more than twice in the past year, or if you feel unstable while walking – consult a doctor or physiotherapist for consultation and supportive care of the problem