This study aims to examine the effectiveness of an intensive five day falls prevention training programme with a home evaluation and a home exercise programme, compared with a home evaluation and exercise programme alone for reducing incidence of falls and fear of falling, and improving confidence in functional ability and objective balance.
While previous research shows a clear link between visual impairment and increased risk and incidence of falls, as well as fear of falling, there is little research to investigate the effectiveness of falls prevention programmes for visually impaired populations. At the time of writing there were no studies identified that used this type of intensive training over a period of several days, rather most of the studies that exist have been conducted in community settings. This study will aim to compare the effectiveness of a comprehensive exercise programme aimed at improving balance, walking technique, postural control and ability to complete functional tasks, with a home exercise programme with either written or audio instructions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
32
Intensive training on balance, gait re-education, functional activities, backwards chaining and postural control, completed at 0 and 12 weeks.
A modified version of the Falls Management Exercise programme (FaME) provided in written or audio format and completed over 12 weeks.
Use of the Homefast assessment tool to reduce risk of falls at home.
Blind Veterans UK
Llandudno, Conwy, United Kingdom
Change in Incidence of falls
Participant's self-reported incidence of falls or near misses
Time frame: Fortnightly reporting throughout the 12 week programme.
Change in Fear of falling
The participant's self-reported level of fear about their risk of having a fall as indicated by completion of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I), which scores from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 4 on each item with a high score indicating a worse outcome. The lowest total score possible is 16 and the highest total score possible is 64.
Time frame: Completed at the time of consent to participate in the study and at week 0 and week 12 of the programme
Change in Objective Balance
Standing balance as measured by the 4-point balance test
Time frame: At 0 and 12 weeks in the programme
Risk of falls
The participant's likelihood of experiencing a fall as measured by the Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT), which scores from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 5, with a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
Time frame: Completed at the time of consent to participate in the study and at week 0 and 12 in the programme.
Confidence in functional ability
Self-reported confidence in ability to perform activities of daily living as recorded using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, which scores from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 10 on each of the 16 items. An average is then taken from the scores, with a higher average indicating a better outcome.
Time frame: Completed at weeks 0 and 12 of the programme.
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