2009 APA Conference Week Abstracts - Australian Physiotherapy ...

Gerontology Physiotherapy Australia
scapula, spine and upper limb, and aiming to increase range,
strength and motor control in the upper quadrant, are likely
to alleviate these chronic upper limb symptoms. Adoption
of an exercise regimen that includes aerobic exercise
and high impact exercises may also reduce osteoporosis
and fatigue. One chronic side-effect, lymphoedema, is
uncommon but is feared by many, and is still not wellunderstood.
Nevertheless, at least some of the beliefs, such
as exercise exacerbating lymphoedema, are not supported
by recent studies. In conclusion, exercise has a substantial
role in rehabilitation during and following treatment for
breast cancer.
Using digital video and photography as a clinical
observational, feedback and recording tool
Langron CP, Fairhall NJ, Cameron ID, Kurrle SE
The University of Sydney, Sydney
Digital video and photography are valuable tools in geriatric
physiotherapy, yet they are under-utilised in the clinical
and research settings. In a current randomised controlled
trial of frail community dwelling, older people, digital
video and photography is being used in conjunction with
exercise intervention for individual participants. Digital
video can enhance clinical observation and correction of
abnormal movement by providing an instant, visual record
for the therapist and participant. The compact digital
camera has many simple functions, such as slow motion and
enlargement of single frames that facilitate a more detailed
movement analysis when compared to therapist observation
in the clinical setting. Replaying videos to participants
of their current and previous performances provides
immediate visual feedback and encourages participant
involvement and self correction in the intervention. Images
can be recorded in different mediums and are being used in
the trial for weekly multidisciplinary case conferences and
large audience presentations. Recordings can be transferred
to CD for safe storage to enable retrieval in the future.
This digital technology has other applications such as
telemedicine in remote areas or providing patients videos of
themselves to practice their home exercise program. It has
been readily accepted by participants as part of the normal
intervention in this trial and 5 cases will be presented to
illustrate the use of this clinical tool.
Aboriginal people
Latimer J
The University of Sydney, The George Institute for International Health
This 25 minute session will outline how a physiotherapy
researcher worked to support a group of older indigenous
women from a remote community in North Western
Australia to share their story with the world. The impact of
this sharing has been enormous and enabled these Australian
indigenous women to influence women’s policy worldwide.
Every day in the Australian media there are reports of family
violence and child abuse, much of this committed while
under the influence of alcohol. In the Northern Territory of
Australia alone, alcohol consumption has risen from 2.3 to
3 billion litres in the 6 years spanning 2000–2006. While
there are no accurate estimates of the exact extent of alcohol
related violence, it is widely acknowledged that the majority
of family violence is committed while under the influence
of alcohol. In 2007 a group of Aboriginal women from
the Fitzroy Valley in Australia’s remote northwest decided
enough was enough. Their community had experienced
13 suicides in 13 months. Reports of family violence and
child abuse were commonplace and alcohol consumption
was rising at an alarming rate. Something had to be done.
Something had to change. A group of courageous Aboriginal
women from the Fitzroy Valley came together to fight for a
future–for their community, and for their children. In 2008
A/Prof Latimer co-produced a powerful, short movie called
‘Yajilarra’ that was shown to Australians and a global
audience at the United Nations Commission on the Status
of Women in New York in 2009. In this presentation A/
Prof Latimer will talk about the exceptional ‘old women’
of Fitzroy Crossing and their journey, how the movie was
made and the far reaching impact that this movie has had.
Normative data for the de Morton Mobility Index
(DEMMI)
Lewis JA, 1 de Morton NA 2
1
Monash University, Victoria, 2 Northern Health, Victoria
The aim of this study was to obtain normative data, stratified
by age and gender, for the de Morton Mobility Index
(DEMMI) for healthy community dwelling older adults. The
DEMMI is a new and advanced mobility outcome measure
that can accurately measure the mobility status of older
people. The DEMMI consists of 15 hierarchical items with
interval-level scoring from 0–100 (where 0 represents lowest
level of mobility and 100 represents highest level). Normative
data provides an essential benchmark for comparing the
mobility status of older people and can facilitate goal setting
for therapeutic intervention. Participants aged 65 years and
older were screened and recruited from a retirement village.
Sixty-one participants were included and their mobility
was assessed using the DEMMI. Normative data for the
DEMMI were reported in 3 age categories: 65–74, 75–84
and 85+ years and mean DEMMI scores (SD) were 80.10
(14.88), 75.40 (14.02) and 69.86 (7.54), respectively. Males
had a mean DEMMI score of 81.15 (12.39) and females had
a mean DEMMI score of 74.78 (14.49). A significant agerelated
decline in mobility was identified between persons
in the oldest age category (85+ years) and the youngest age
category (65–74 years) (p = 0.03). There was no significant
difference between DEMMI scores for males and females
(p = 0.08). The findings of this study are consistent with the
known physiological effects of ageing and provide clinicians
and researchers with important information regarding the
physical health of community dwelling older adults.
Functional outcome one year after hip fracture: results
from the sarcopenia and hip fracture (SHIP) study
Lloyd BD, 1 Williamson DA 1 , Singh NA, 2,3 Hansen RD, 4
Diamond TH, 3 Finnegan T,P 4 Allen B, 7 Grady JN, 8
Stavrinos TM, 1,2 Smith EUR, 1 Diwan AD, 5 Singh MAF 1,6
1
The University of Sydney, NSW; 2 Balmain Hospital, and Royal Prince
Alfred Hospital, NSW; 3 Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, 4 St George
Hospital, NSW; 5 University of New South Wales, NSW, 6 Hebrew
SeniorLife, Boston, USA, and Tufts University, Boston, USA
The aim of this study was to investigate change in function
over the first 12 months following hip fracture. A prospective
cohort study was undertaken in 193 community-dwelling
older persons admitted with hip fracture (81 ± 8 years, 72%
women) to three acute care hospitals in Sydney, Australia.
Function was assessed at baseline (in reference to pre-
The e-AJP Vol 55: 4, Supplement 11