Balance & Falls SIG
About Us
The Balance and Falls Special Interest Group (BFSIG) is composed of members of the ANPT who are passionate about fall prevention and balance function and have shared interest in the impact of neurologic impairments on balance, falls, and fall risk.
Mission
The mission of the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group (BFSIG) is to optimize participation of the neurologic population through evidence-based balance intervention and fall prevention strategies. This is achieved through:
- Connecting clinicians, educators, and researchers working with or interested in balance promotion and fall prevention.
- Disseminating evidence regarding balance and falls in ANPT publications.
- Engaging social media to increase public awareness of evidenced fall reduction practice.
- Collaborating with APTA Sections, other professions, and policy makers and stakeholders.
- Advocating and promoting the implementation of evidence.
Vision
The Balance and Falls Special Interest Group (BFSIG) is committed to facilitating connections between researchers, academicians, and clinicians to advance balance treatment and fall prevention in the neurologic population.
Objectives
- The primary objective of the BF SIG is to create and maintain effective mechanisms for the collection, dissemination, and discussion of information related to the prevention and effective treatment of balance disorders.
- The SIG serves as a liaison between the APTA, health care providers, national health organizations, and the public. The BF SIG is committed to facilitating advances in physical therapy for patient management, education, research and health care policy that reflect the needs of those we serve.
- The BFSIG engages in coalition building across subject matter expert and community stakeholder groups in-step with current evidence on the multi-factorial factors contributing to falls. This includes collaboration across APTA Sections, other professions, and policy makers and stakeholders.
Communication
- Provide an avenue of communication and networking for clinicians, educators, and researchers working with or interested in balance promotion and fall prevention.
- Facilitate publication of articles and information regarding balance and falls in Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy publications.
- Build and contribute to cross disciplinary and public dialogues that assess, inform, and enact falls prevention evidence and practice.
- Engage in social media and public dialogue to increase awareness of evidenced fall reduction practice.
Research
- Facilitate clinical and basic science research in the area of balance and falls.
- Assist in establishing a network for communicating the results of research.
Education
- Assist the public relations efforts of the APTA by support and organization of activities that promote physical therapy services for persons with balance problems leading to falls.
- Support the publication and dissemination of articles, book reviews, and reprints of reports and articles related to balance and falls.
Legislation
- Monitor legislation that would have an impact on the delivery of quality physical therapy services to persons with balance impairments leading to falls.
- Monitor changes in reimbursement systems that affect physical therapy services provided to persons with balance impairments leading to falls.
Officers
Chair
Debbie Espy, PT, PhD
Chair Elect
Jennifer Nash PT, DPT, NCS
Tri Alliance Representative
Jennifer Nash PT, DPT, NCS
Vice Chair
Michele Collins
Secretary
Nathan Casey, PT, DPT*
Nominating Committee Chair
Laura Jacobs, PT, DPT*
Nominating Committee
Marissa Lyon PT, PhD, DPT, NCS
Anjali Sivaramakrishnan PT, PhD
Social Media Coordinators:
Sarah Margolis
Simone Gingras
*All the Physical therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists.