At 16 senior centers, studied effectiveness of exercise and cognitive-behavioral programs, compared to discussion control program, in reducing falls and injuries among 230 older adults. After one year of programs, observed no significant difference in time to first fall among groups. Secondary outcome measures such as strength, balance, fear of…

Presents a series of exercises to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful hand disorder caused by stressful and repetitive motions. (SM)

Three types of playground equipment account for 87 percent of all injuries: swing-sets, climbing apparatus, and slides. Fully 75% of playground injuries occur when children fall from equipment. Improving ground surfaces, installing guard rails, and limiting maximum equipment height are essential. Sidebars provide safety rules and a playground…

Examined reports of one physically abused child from each of 789 families. Results of ordinal probit regression analysis identified that model with four predictors (perpetrator identity, reporter identity, severity of allegations, and season report was made) and two interaction terms (child's age by mother's age and child's age by child's gender)…

Reviews the literature related to experience-based training and development (EBTD) programs and physical safety. Discusses injury rates, cardiac arrest, and apparent and real risk for clients of different ages. Suggests that EBTD programs need a comprehensive documentation efforts to clarify and evaluate safety records. Contains 27 references. (SV)

Administered Grief Experience Inventory (GEI) to 102 mothers of brain-injured adolescents and young adults across 3 years postinjury. Factor analysis of data was computed and compared to factors derived from original GEI General Reference Group (n=135). Found strikingly similar factor structures between modified nondeath form and original GEI.…

Examined psychosocial functioning and transition to adult status following adolescent closed head injury. Used case study approach to describe changes in functioning following discharge and return to family and school from perspective of injured individual and primary caregiver. Found dependence in many areas of adult functioning, underscoring…

More than 170,000 children are injured yearly on U.S. playgrounds. Every school should establish a long-range plan to bring its playground into compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines and establish good programs for children and playground supervisors. Safety rules and proper management and supervision can reduce injuries.…

Estimated benefits from systematic early referral of injured workers for vocational rehabilitation services. Used data from Florida workers' compensation cases closed in 1985 to estimate gains from referral for evaluation not later than six months from injury date. Concludes that social benefits could be nearly $10 million annually and that…

Explored empirical relationship between employer disability prevention and management practices and their workers' compensation claims experience. Data from 124 firms revealed high variability among firms within same industry and operating under same state workers' compensation statute. Findings support assumption that significant portion of…

Describes 1 school-related shooting in which 18-year-old youth wounded 4 students at Wilson High School in Washington, DC, in 1989. Highlights complexity and confusion that occur during schoolwide emergency. Illustrates intensity of feelings and reactions of students, staff, parents, and community to shooting; doubled-edged sword of television…

The typical American playground is antiquated, hazardous, and inappropriate for the developmental needs of children. The paper explains how design, installation, maintenance, and supervision are critical in preventing playground injuries and resulting litigation, noting the importance of regular training for everyone who supervises children on the…

Provides empirical evidence about the relationship between policies and practices and the incidence and outcomes of work disability, controlling for organizational factors. Describes the employer self-assessment survey instrument designed for the study and the eight independent variables explored within Michigan establishments (N=220) in seven…

Defines traumatic brain injury (TBI) as an acquired injury to the head that results in long-term and often permanent physical and emotional disturbances that often has catastrophic impacts on families. Reviews six research articles regarding implications for both therapists and researchers working with TBI families. (Author/MKA)

Describes an innovative training program for injury prevention specialists developed by the Indian Health Service (IHS), noting its applicability to other community-based settings. Examines injuries and American Indians; designing the IHS program; IHS training courses; examples of community-based interventions organized by people who had completed…