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Professor Stephen Lord

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Professor Stephen Lord
Brief info

Stephen Lord is a Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales and a Senior Principal Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia. He has published over 600 papers in the areas of instability, falls and fractures in older people and clinical groups with balance impairment. His research follows two main themes: the identification of neuropsychological, sensorimotor and balance risk factors for falls and the development and evaluation of fall prevention strategies. His current projects include the development of digital gait biomarkers, reactive step training and cognitive-motor interventions to prevent falls and studies addressing fall risk in people with stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy and cognitive impairment. He is also actively engaged in initiatives aimed at implementing fall prevention evidence into policy and practice.

FALL PREVENTION IN OLDER PEOPLE: CURRENT EVIDENCE AND INSIGHTS FROM RECENT RESEARCH

  • Lecture 30 minutes followed by 10 minutes Q & A

Falls pose a major threat to the well-being and quality of life for older people. Falls can result in fractures and other injuries, disability and fear and can trigger a decline in physical function and loss of autonomy. This presentation will initially summarize the published evidence for effective fall prevention interventions as outlined in the Australian Falls Prevention Guidelines. It will then present recent findings on the role of new technologies for facilitating fall risk and mobility assessments and fall prevention interventions in older people. Topics will include: the utility of wearable sensors (using wrist-worn sensors and smart phones) for falls detection and improving fall prediction; and the efficacy of e-health, exergame, virtual reality, and reactive balance training interventions for fall prevention. The presentation will conclude with a discussion how this new research can be made available to older people and implemented into government policies and clinical practice.