Ladder falls have long-lasting consequences for older men

Date:
June 29, 2020
Source:
University of Queensland
Summary:
In the world's first study of long-term impacts from ladder falls,
researchers have found half of fallers experience a deterioration
in their psychological well-being for at least six months after
the incident.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
It only takes a moment to fall off a ladder, but the psychological
impacts are long-lasting, particularly for older males.


==========================================================================
In the world's first study of long-term impacts from ladder falls,
Queensland researchers have found half of fallers experience a
deterioration in their psychological wellbeing for at least six months
after the incident.

The University of Queensland's Dr Rob Eley said those who fell experienced sleeping problems, anxiety, depression and pain well after checking out
of hospital.

"Ladder falls go far beyond that of the physical injury; they
significantly impact a person's mental health and the whole family,"
Dr Eley said.

"It's frustrating because ladder-related falls are frequently preventable,
yet they're a common cause of injuries presented at the emergency
department.

"Our study found males over 55 years old are particularly at risk,
making up more than half of all our ladder-related fall cases."
The researchers followed 134 Queenslanders who presented to emergency
at Princess Alexandra and Nambour General Hospitals between October 2015
and October 2016 as a result of a fall from a ladder.



==========================================================================
The team used the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) scale to measure
the subjects' physical and psychological recovery over time.

The patients spent an average of five days in hospital with the most
common injuries including spinal fractures, rib fractures, tibia or
fibula fractures, radius or ulna fractures, pelvic fractures, and
traumatic pneumothorax.

The study found that most injuries occurred in non-occupational settings
during home maintenance.

Of those who were employed at the time, 80 per cent required at least
four weeks off work, and 16 per cent were unable to return or perform
their normal function after six months.

Dr Eley said the study highlighted the need for improved safety designs
and injury prevention strategies.



==========================================================================
"Our research reinforces the need for mandated safety instructions for
ladders, as well as safety features like rubber feet, hooks, extender
arms, fasteners and stabilisers," Dr Eley said.

"We suggest that at the place of purchase, older men are targeted to
reinforce safety instructions, and perhaps are provided with mandatory stabilising features.

"The community also needs to do more to educate people that it's OK to
request help or employ home service contractors to complete tasks around
the home that require a ladder.

"Ladder falls are frequently preventable and our findings demonstrate
the need for preventative measures to be taken."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Queensland. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Kym Roberts, Ogilvie Thom, Rob Eley, CJ. Cabilan, Kirsten
Vallmuur. Long
term impact of ladder-related injuries as measured by the AQoL
instrument. PLOS ONE, 2020; 15 (6): e0235092 DOI: 10.1371/
journal.pone.0235092 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200629120231.htm

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