Conectar
Exercise-based interventions are well-established in reducing falls and fall-related injuries, but adherence and accessibility remain key challenges, particularly in rural areas. While conventional in-person training is widely used, digital interventions may offer scalable solutions to enhance engagement and reach. However, pragmatic trials evaluating the real-world effectiveness of conventional and digitally supported fall prevention interventions are lacking, limiting the evidence base for their implementation in routine healthcare settings. The SURE-Footed into the Future Fall Intervention Trial (SURE-FIT) aims to compare the effectiveness of two structured fall prevention interventions—a conventional centre-based exercise programme and a hybrid telemedical programme combining in-person and tablet-supported training—against a wait-list control group in reducing falls and fall-related injuries among community-dwelling older adults.
This study is a pragmatic three-arm, parallel-group, randomised controlled superiority trial with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. Participants (≥65 years, community-dwelling, planned n=2778) will be randomly assigned to (1) conventional centre-based training supplemented with printed materials for home-based continuation (conventional group), (2) a hybrid model integrating centre-based and tablet-supported training for continuation (tablet group) or (3) a wait-list control group. The intervention includes a 9-week supervised phase followed by 43 weeks of independent home-based training. The primary outcomes are the incidence rate of falls and fall-related injuries over 12 months. Secondary outcomes include physical functioning, physical activity, concerns about falling, loneliness and the risk of low protein intake. A process evaluation will assess intervention feasibility and implementation. Additionally, qualitative interviews will be conducted with participants, course instructors and municipal stakeholders to explore experiences, facilitators and challenges related to programme participation and implementation. A health-economic evaluation will be conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of the structured fall prevention interventions. Data collection will take place at baseline and every 3 months via standardised questionnaires, with a subgroup undergoing physical performance testing and sensor-based activity monitoring. Analyses will follow an intention-to-treat approach.
Ethical approval has been granted by the Ethics Committee of Ulm University (271/23). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before enrolment. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, scientific conferences and national fall prevention initiatives. Additionally, results will be shared with key municipal representatives, and the German National Association of Senior Citizens’ Organisations (BAGSO). A publicly accessible website will provide ongoing access to study information and findings in plain language.
DRKS00032878, German Clinical Trials Register
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the Caribbean, yet there is limited published information on the availability and utilisation of diagnostic imaging and treatment methods. Inequities in healthcare infrastructure, access to neuroimaging and acute treatment options may contribute to poorer outcomes following stroke, particularly in the low-resource settings that characterise most of the Caribbean region. The objective of this review is to map the literature on access to diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for adult stroke care in the Caribbean to identify potential limitations in acute treatment and examine how restricted access may impact outcomes. The resulting data can help inform strategies for improving access to stroke care in resource-limited communities.
We will apply a three-step strategy based on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework: first, a limited search to identify relevant articles; second, selection of key search terms; third, implementation into a comprehensive search strategy. The query will range from 1 January 1995 to 1 June 2025 (date of final search). Search results will be extracted and screened by two independent reviewers, and findings will be presented in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. We will consider studies focusing on ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in the Caribbean, emphasising access to diagnostic imaging, stroke centres, prehospital management and emergent treatment. Studies examining acute stroke management capacity within the region will be considered. Studies will be excluded if they: focus exclusively on primary stroke prevention, postacute care, longitudinal care pathways for stroke victims or paediatric populations; are unrelated to stroke diagnosis or treatment or are conducted outside the Caribbean.
This protocol aims to perform secondary analysis of previously published literature; therefore, ethical approval is not required. The results of this review will be disseminated through academic conferences and peer-reviewed publication.
by Jiawei Jiang, Ai Theng Cheong, Shariff Ghazali Sazlina, Zarina Haron, Shanyu Wu, Chenli Liang, Qi Jiang
BackgroundWith the global population ageing rapidly, especially in China, promoting active ageing is crucial for ensuring healthy longevity. However, limited studies have examined the levels and predictors of active ageing at the community level in provincially designated age-friendly communities.
MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2024 in two age-friendly communities in Yanji City, China. We invited 553 older adults aged 60 years and above using simple random sampling methods. We collected data through structured face-to-face interviews using validated instruments that measured socio-demographic and physical, environmental, health-related, and social variables. We used multiple linear regression to identify significant predictors of active ageing.
ResultsA total of 513 older adults participated 56.9% were female, and 90.4% were aged 60−79. The mean active ageing score was 100.98 (SD = 16.78). Higher educational attainment (β = 0.138, 95% CI [0.513, 8.736]), higher income levels (β = 0.144, 95% CI [1.265, 10.266]), moderate physical activity levels (β = 0.073, 95% CI [0.004, 0.181]), better cognitive function (β = 0.214, 95% CI [0.522, 1.088]), stronger family support (β = 0.124, 95% CI [0.399, 1.535)], close social connectedness (β = 0.277, 95% CI [0.595, 1.021]), and use of community (β = 0.176, 95% CI [3.597, 9.532]) and cultural facilities (β = 0.116, 95% CI [1.659, 6.583]) three or more times a week were significantly associated with higher active ageing. Depression had a significant negative impact on active ageing scores (β = −0.170, 95% CI [−1.362, −0.570]).
ConclusionThe findings underscore the need for integrated strategies encompassing environmental design, social support systems, physical activity promotion, and mental health care to foster active and meaningful ageing in age-friendly community settings.
Gender-based violence is a worldwide health and social problem with negative short- and long-term health impacts. Sexual and gender minority people experience more gender-based violence and significant barriers to support. These populations are often not included in, or are actively excluded from, gender-based violence research, and sexual orientation and gender are generally poorly measured and reported. One recommendation put forth to improve the evidence base with regard to sexual and gender diversity is higher standards of research and reporting by academic journals. Given the leading role of nurse researchers in this area of women's health, this is a topic of particular importance for nursing research and education.
We examined the sexual and gender diversity-related guidance provided by academic violence journals to authors, editors and peer-reviewers.
We conducted a descriptive document analysis. Two researchers independently searched for, and coded, guidance related to sexual and gender diversity from 16 websites of academic journals focused on violence research.
While most journals included some mention of diversity or inclusion, only about half provided in-depth guidance for authors, editors and/or peer-reviewers. Guidance related to gender was more common than guidance for sexual diversity. The journals gave varied prominence to diversity-related guidance, and it was often difficult to locate.
To reflect the spectrum of lived experiences of gender and sexuality, publishers must actively direct authors, editors and reviewers to include, measure and report these experiences. This has not yet been fully achieved in the important area of gender-based violence research, and is of direct concern to nurse researchers who contribute significantly to this body of knowledge.
FreshRSS 