About Us

The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Balance & Falls Special Interest Group is a component of the American Physical Therapy Association. The BF SIG is comprised of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students in physical therapy programs who share information on research and programs aimed to increase networking, collaborations, and knowledge translation to achieve the Special Interest Group goals of: 

  1. Improved identification of balance deficits and fall risks
  2. Reduced preventable falls in populations with neurologic impairments

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.