A new study has found strong support among healthcare professionals for incorporating wearable technology into clinical practice to assess fall risk and enhance mobility for older people.
Falls are a leading cause of injury among older people, often resulting in hospitalisation, loss of independence, and reduced quality of life. With Australia’s ageing population, there is an urgent need for scalable, effective tools that support fall prevention and safe mobility in real-world environments.
Led by Dr Meghan Ambrens and Associate Professor Kim van Schooten, both Research Fellows at NeuRA and Associate Investigators at UNSW Ageing Futures Institute, the study sought to establish a consensus on how wearable sensors – such as wrist or pendant-worn devices – can be used in clinical care. The research was funded by a UNSW Ageing Futures Institute Seed Fund and conducted in collaboration with co-authors Professor Kim Delbaere, Professor Ken Butcher, Professor Jacqui Close, Professor Peter Gonski, Professor Friedbert Kohler, Professor Nigel Lovell, and Dr Daniel Treacy.
Through input from 17 hospital-based healthcare professionals, researchers found broad agreement on the potential benefits of wearables in mobility assessment and fall risk management. The study highlighted that these devices can enhance fall risk assessment, track mobility patterns, and improve patient outcomes by providing real-time, objective data. Healthcare professionals also identified key considerations for implementation, including affordability, data accuracy, and ease of integration into existing healthcare systems.
Notably, the study found that while cost remains a potential barrier, technological literacy among patients and clinicians was not a major concern.
“Our findings show that wearable sensors have real potential to transform mobility assessment and fall prevention in healthcare settings. By equipping clinicians with objective, real-time data, these devices could significantly enhance the way we assess and support older people at risk of falls," states Dr Ambrens.
“As Australia’s population continues to age, this study offers a roadmap for integrating wearable technology into clinical practice – helping to improve outcomes for older people accessing healthcare.”
Read the full study here.