Senior Falls Prevention Study

Washington State, Department of Health453 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a best practice model for senior falls prevention when implemented in a community setting.

This study will measure differences in the incidence of falls and fall risk factors among subjects assigned to an intervention group and a control group. Subjects in the intervention group will receive a multi-faceted intervention based on best practices. Subjects in the control group will receive written fall prevention education materials. Fall monitoring will be conducted for subjects in both groups. Specific components of the intervention will include: * an individual fall risk assessment; * exercise with balance and strength training; * education on how to reduce falls and fall risk factors; and * recommendations for medical care management of identified fall risk factors.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

453

Conditions

Falls Among Older Adults

Interventions

Exercise, education and medical managementBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 65 years of age or older; * Live in the community in a house, apartment, or retirement center; * Able to speak and understand English; * Able to walk without the physical assistance of another person (using an assistive device, such as a cane or walker, is ok); * Able to participate in a falls prevention program for 12 months; * Able to participate in exercise classes that meet 3 times per week for a minimum of 6 months. * Able to provide their own transportation and be a year-round resident; * Have a health care provider that they had seen within the past three years; * Able to see and hear another person from a distance of 10 to 12 feet. * Able to complete a 10-foot Timed Up and Go Test in \< 30 seconds. * Able to complete the Pfeiffer Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire with fewer than 5 errors. Exclusion Criteria: * Participated in regular, moderate exercise during the past 3 months (Regular exercise means physical activity that is done 30 minutes or longer, 3 or more times a week. Moderate exercise includes any physical activity that makes the heart beat faster or makes a person breathe harder or sweat, such as brisk walking, active gardening, or climbing stairs.) * Has Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis; * Is under doctor's orders to restrict activity level.

Locations (2)

Spokane Regional Health District

Spokane, Washington, United States

Northwest Orthopaedic Institute

Tacoma, Washington, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in the incidence of falls, reported once a month over a one year follow-up period.

Secondary Outcomes

Changes in lower body strength, balance and mobility measured at baseline and repeated at the end of a one year follow-up period.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.