Evaluation of a Balance-recovery Specific Falls Prevention Exercise Program

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre37 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to investigate the potential to train compensatory stepping and grasping reactions for the prevention of falls.

Physical activity and exercise have been shown to prevent falling in older adults, although the exact mechanisms by which exercise prevents falls is unclear. Compensatory stepping and grasping reactions are frequently used to prevent a fall to the ground following a loss of balance. Age-related impairment in these reactions may be related to an increased risk of falling. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate means for reversing age-related impairment in compensatory stepping and grasping reactions. A training program involving perturbation-evoked reactions will be evaluated. Comparison(s): Balance recovery ability before and after a 6-week training program will be assessed. Performance of the training group will be compared to a control group not receiving stepping and grasping training.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Accidental Falls

Interventions

Balance training (exercise)BEHAVIORAL

Perturbation-based balance training. 30-minute sessions three times per week for six weeks.

Flexibility and relaxation exerciseOTHER

30-minute sessions, three times per week for six weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 64 YearsMax age: 80 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Community dwelling * History of falls (at least 1 fall in the past 12 months) or poor balance * Functional mobility (no dependence on mobility aids) Exclusion Criteria: * Neurological or musculoskeletal disorder * Cognitive disorder (e.g. dementia) * Osteoporosis

Locations (1)

Centre for Studies in Aging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Ability to recover balance by stepping and grasping

Time frame: Before and after 6-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Fall frequency; clinical measures related to balance and fall risk (e.g. FallScreen, Community Balance and Mobility Scale, balance confidence)

Time frame: One year post-intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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