Modern technology against falls-The MoTFall project

Background: The strongest risk factor for falls is a history of falls. Therefore, interventions targeting persons at risk of falling before they are aware of the risk themselves is highly demanded. The prevention of falls is a complex task and has no easy solutions; an interdisciplinary approach is necessary. Modern technology provides us with novel opportunities to detect and monitor falls and near falls, and a person centered approach to falls prevention interventions.

Objectives: To develop and test modern technology in falls prevention.

Method: In the project, research institutes, universities, private companies, community health care, business advisors, and representatives from the target group participate. MoTFall comprise of nine work-packages, including back-end systems, wearable devices, mobile application, big-data analysis and data fusion and knowledge dissemination, support and empowerment strategies, business case and education in falls prevention for health care personnel.

Results: A wearable device based on a 9 axis Inertial Measurement Unit, the Snubblometer®, is an important part of the project. The Snubblometer has shown to be a valid and reliable device for measuring balance, and to detect near falls events with a sensitivity of 83%. Further, a mobile application has been developed including a fall-risks index and fall preventive exercises and information. The mobile application collects information from the Snubblometer and it is therefore possible to provide information about movement patterns, balance, falls and near-falls. This makes it possible to individualize fall preventive interventions. Within MotFall a web-based education program about falls prevention for health care personnel in the community and in nursing homes has been developed.

Conclusion: A mobile application, including information from a wearable device that can measure human movement, is one way of reaching a broad group of people in an early stage and thereby prevent future falls.