University of Michigan-Flint

Faculty Name:  Min Huang

Department:  Physical Therapy

Campus Address:  2136 WSW

Email:  mhhuang@umflint.edu

Phone:  810-237-6668

Project Description:  Balance impairment is a major predictor of falls in older adults.

To this date, few studies have prospectively examined balance impairments as related to falls in older cancer survivors.  This study aims to (1) compare the performance of balance tests in older cancer survivors and older adults without cancer, (2) evaluate the ability of balance assessment tools in predicting future fall; (3) examine the reliability and validity of BESTest (Horak et al., 2009) in older cancer survivors and older adults without cancer.

Adults 65 years and older living in Flint area with and without a history of cancer will be recruited.  Participants will receive 2 sessions of balance assessment at one week apart.  Following the first session, the information on daily falls will be collected for 12 months by participant's monthly submission of a falls log calendar.

Semesters Desired:  Fall 2011 AND Winter 2012

GSRA Position Description:  GSRA participating in this study is expected to assist with the following:

(1)Recruit subjects, including making phone calls and visiting local senior centers and housing facilities, oncology clinics and hospitals etc. for the recruitment purposes. 

(2)Collect and analyze data, including conducting assessment tests, contacting subjects to obtain falls information monthly, processing and entering data etc.

(3)Disseminate research findings, including presenting at conferences or preparing manuscripts.

Specific Day/Time Requirements:  None identified

Special Requirements:  None identified

Graduate Students in These Programs May Apply:  Physical Therapy (DPT/Certificate)