The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility of applying slip recovery training, a novel balance training exercise intervention, to workers who are at increased risk of slip-induced falls. This will be done via field studies with industrial partners. Note that the slip recovery training is not a device or drug. It is a detailed exercise regimen that aims to improve the the ability to recover balance after slipping. The main specific aims are are: * To investigate the feasibility of on-site slip recovery training * To validate field assessments for evaluating slip recovery training efficacy in subsequent research Participants will complete 3-6 once-weekly sessions of slip recovery training, answer daily text messages indicating any falls they experience while working over the 12 weeks after completing slip recovery training, and a subset of workers will be asked to participate in focus group discussions after the 12 weeks to provide information on the long-term feasibility of slip recovery training. A group of workers at Virginia Tech will also be asked to complete a laboratory session of testing during which they will be exposed to a laboratory-induced slip so that gold-standard measures of slip-induced fall recovery can be used to validate field assessments. Workers who complete slip recovery training will be compared to another group of workers who complete an alternative balance training that should improve balance but not improve slip recovery that is targeted by slip recovery training.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
34
Participants practice volitional and reactive stepping responses that mimic those needed when recovering balance after slipping.
Participants practice standing and walking under varied sensory conditions.
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
evaluation of recruitment methods
number of prospective participants who contact the investigators with interest in participating
Time frame: 2 years
evaluation of screening methods
percentage of prospective participants who are deemed a poor fit for the study based upon not passing the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.
Time frame: 2 years
worker adherence to slip recovery training
average number of slip recovery training sessions completed across all participants assigned to slip recovery training
Time frame: during 3 or 6 weeks of balance training
worker adherence to alternative balance training
average number of alternative balance training sessions completed across all participants assigned to alternative balance training
Time frame: during 3 or 6 weeks of balance training
worker retention during 12 weeks of falls tracking
average number of weeks participants responded to text messages from investigators regarding slips and falls
Time frame: during the12 weeks after completing the training intervention
lab-induced slip outcome (fall or recovery)
a binary measure determined based on the force applied to the safety harness worn by all participants when exposed to a laboratory-induced slip
Time frame: during the laboratory testing session that will take place within one week of completing training intervention
lab-induced slip distance
the distance the slipping foot slides when exposed to a laboratory-induced slip
Time frame: during the laboratory testing session that will take place within one week of completing training intervention
lab-induced slip peak slip speed
the peak speed of the slipping foot during slip when exposed to a laboratory-induced slip
Time frame: during the laboratory testing session that will take place within one week of completing training intervention
efficacy of field assessments of balance
Pearson product correlation coefficient between field assessment of slip distance and lab-induced slip distance
Time frame: during the field session one week after completing the training intervention
field assessment of slip distance
the distance the slipping foot slides when exposed to a slip induced in the field
Time frame: one week after intervention
field assessment of slip distance
the distance the slipping foot slides when exposed to a slip induced in the field
Time frame: 12 weeks after intervention
field assessment of peak slip speed
the maximum slipping speed of the foot during recovery from an induced slip
Time frame: one week after intervention
field assessment of peak slip speed
the maximum slipping speed of the foot during recovery from an induced slip
Time frame: 12 weeks after intervention
postural sway during quiet standing
mean center of pressure speed
Time frame: one week after intervention
postural sway during quiet standing
mean center of pressure speed
Time frame: 12 weeks after intervention
dynamic balance performance
maximum number of consecutive backward toe-to-heel steps completed while walking three times along a 3cm-wide, 3m-long beam on the floor without touching the ground
Time frame: one week after intervention
dynamic balance performance
maximum number of consecutive backward toe-to-heel steps completed while walking three times along a 3cm-wide, 3m-long beam on the floor without touching the ground
Time frame: 12 weeks after intervention
number of falls while working during 12-week follow up
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determined using a daily text message questionnaire
Time frame: during the 12 week follow up after intervention
number of near-falls while working during 12-week follow up
determined using a daily text message questionnaire
Time frame: during the 12 week follow up after intervention