Health x Wellness
Duke-NUS and ETH Zurich Develop Innovative Algorithm to Prevent Falls in Elderly
Duke-NUS Medical School and ETH Zurich researchers have pioneered Singapore’s first fall-risk screening algorithm for seniors.
This innovative algorithm combines physical mobility assessments from wearable sensors with demographic, social, psychological, sensory, and bone density data to identify vulnerable elderly individuals.
This tailored approach aims to enhance their health and quality of life by reducing the risk of falls.
The Urgency of Fall Prevention
With one in four Singaporean seniors over 65 experiencing falls annually, the stakes are high. In Singapore, 85 percent of geriatric trauma cases presented to the Emergency Department are due to fall-related injuries.
Falls among adults aged 65 and older are also financially costly, with the US spending approximately USD 50 billion annually on medical costs for non-fatal fall injuries.
TARGET and SAFE-TECH Studies
To address this pressing issue, Duke-NUS researchers are conducting the ‘Targeted Assessment and Recruitment of Geriatrics for Effective Fall Prevention Treatments’ (TARGET) study. This study involves 2,300 seniors answering questionnaires about their psychological and emotional health and wearing wireless sensors to collect data on their physical mobility. The comprehensive data analysis led to the development of a novel predictive algorithm to screen and select high-risk individuals.
High-risk seniors are then invited to participate in the ‘Steps to Avoid Falls in the Elderly: A TECHnology Enhanced Intervention’ (SAFE-TECH) study. This study aims to develop a comprehensive, multi-domain falls prevention program conducted in venues near the seniors’ homes for convenience.
Aligning with Healthier SG
These studies align with Healthier SG, a national initiative by the Ministry of Health to promote preventive care and improve access to services and resources. Lowering the Emergency Department admission rate of falls-associated injuries among the elderly is a key Healthier SG 10-year goal.
Photo courtesy of Duke-NUS.
