Understanding Sleep, Falls, and Broken Bones in Older Adults

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

Many older adults experience falls and broken bones, which can significantly impact their health and independence. We know that sleep disturbances are also very common as people age. This project aims to understand if poor sleep, including conditions like sleep apnea where breathing stops briefly, increases the risk of these falls and fractures. We are carefully examining information from thousands of older men and women who have already participated in large health studies to find these connections. By identifying these links, we hope to discover new ways to help prevent falls and fractures.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Cauley, Jane Ann — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
• Study coordinator: Cauley, Jane Ann

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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• Falls and brain changes in older adults who don’t yet show dementia

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About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.