Caroline Lukaszyk1,2, Julieann Coombes1, Catherine Sherrington3, Anne Tiedemann3, Lisa Keay1,2, Tamara Mackean1,4, Lindy Clemson3,5, Robert Cumming6, Tony Broe7, Rebecca Ivers1,2,8. 1. The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 3. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 4. Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity, Flinders University, North Ridge Precinct, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 5. Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia. 6. Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 7. Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 8. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: To document the implementation and investigate within-group impact of The Ironbark Program: a community-based, Aboriginal-specific fall prevention program, in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: The Ironbark Program was trialled in six Aboriginal communities over a three- to six-month period. A mixed methods approach was used for program evaluation: strength, balance and gait were assessed to measure participant physical function and BMI was monitored. Semi-structured participant interviews investigated program suitability, relevance and impact. RESULTS: Ninety-eight Aboriginal people aged 40+ years registered for the pilot program, 77 (79%) of whom were present at all assessment time points. There were significant improvements in participant leg strength (average time to complete five repetition sit-to-stand: 14 seconds to 11 seconds), balance (timed single-leg stance: 5.6 seconds to 7.8 seconds), gait (timed 4 m walk: 0.51 m/s to 0.94 m/s) and a significant decrease in BMI (32.0 to 31.6) was observed. Participants reported enjoying the program and stated they would recommend it to others. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of the Ironbark Program demonstrated acceptability, and showed significant improvements in physical function. If proven to be effective in a definitive trial, this program could be used widely to prevent falls in older Aboriginal people. IMPLICATIONS: Key features of the Ironbark Program were local Aboriginal management, culturally relevant resources, ongoing availability and enabling program use for people aged less than 65 years. These features should be retained on the program's upscale, and may be incorporated into other healthy ageing programs developed for the Aboriginal population.
AIM: To document the implementation and investigate within-group impact of The Ironbark Program: a community-based, Aboriginal-specific fall prevention program, in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: The Ironbark Program was trialled in six Aboriginal communities over a three- to six-month period. A mixed methods approach was used for program evaluation: strength, balance and gait were assessed to measure participant physical function and BMI was monitored. Semi-structured participant interviews investigated program suitability, relevance and impact. RESULTS: Ninety-eight Aboriginal people aged 40+ years registered for the pilot program, 77 (79%) of whom were present at all assessment time points. There were significant improvements in participant leg strength (average time to complete five repetition sit-to-stand: 14 seconds to 11 seconds), balance (timed single-leg stance: 5.6 seconds to 7.8 seconds), gait (timed 4 m walk: 0.51 m/s to 0.94 m/s) and a significant decrease in BMI (32.0 to 31.6) was observed. Participants reported enjoying the program and stated they would recommend it to others. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of the Ironbark Program demonstrated acceptability, and showed significant improvements in physical function. If proven to be effective in a definitive trial, this program could be used widely to prevent falls in older Aboriginal people. IMPLICATIONS: Key features of the Ironbark Program were local Aboriginal management, culturally relevant resources, ongoing availability and enabling program use for people aged less than 65 years. These features should be retained on the program's upscale, and may be incorporated into other healthy ageing programs developed for the Aboriginal population.
Authors: Margaret J R Gidgup; Marion Kickett; Angela Jacques; Tammy Weselman; Keith D Hill; Julieann Coombes; Rebecca Ivers; Nicole Bowser; Vilma Palacios; Anne-Marie Hill Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2022-07-22
Authors: Pamela Ming Wettasinghe; Wendy Allan; Gail Garvey; Alison Timbery; Sue Hoskins; Madeleine Veinovic; Gail Daylight; Holly A Mack; Cecilia Minogue; Terrence Donovan; Gerald A Broe; Kylie Radford; Kim Delbaere Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-10 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Sanne W T Frazer; Rozan van der Veen; Anneloes Baan; Mariëlle E W Hermans; Branko F Olij Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-11 Impact factor: 3.390