Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

We have recently demonstrated the efficacy of balance training in addition to Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) at improving measures of balance associated with an increased risk of falls in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Our next aim was to translate lessons learnt from this laboratory based study of balance training into a sustainable clinical service. We provided training to the Health care professionals (HCPs) responsible for delivering PR. Training included an hour of instruction on the principles and practical application of balance training and the researchers offered advice during the first week. Balance training was incorporated three times a week into conventional PR programs. Following the program, HCPs participated in a focus group exploring their experiences of delivering balance training alongside PR. Service users (patients) completed satisfaction surveys as well as standardized measures of balance control. After six months, the sustainability of balance training was explored. HCPs considered the training to be effective at improving balance and the support provided by the researchers was viewed as helpful. HCPs identified a number of strategies to facilitate balance training within PR, including; training twice a week, incorporating an interval training program for everyone enrolled in PR and providing visual aids to training. Nineteen service users completed the balance training and improved their balance control. Sixteen patients (84%) enjoyed balance training and reported that it helped them with everyday activities and 18 (95%) indicated their wish to continue with it. After six months balance training is being routinely assessed and delivered as part of standardized PR. Implementing balance into PR programs, with support and training for HCPs, is feasible, effective and sustainable.