Effect of Specifically Developed Exercise Intervention on Falls Among Older Adults in Nursing Homes

University of Pecs24 enrolled

Overview

The aim of the study is to examine the effect of multicomponent exercises recommendations on falls, physical functioning, physical activity, and general physical and psychological well-being among Hungarian older adults dwelling in nursing homes.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial of an individually exercise guideline recommended by IAGG-GARN for older males and females living in a nursing home. A stratified randomization will be performed after the baseline assessment. The assessment of primary and secondary outcomes takes place in all subjects upon entry to the study (pre-test) by blinded assessors and at 12 weeks (post-test). After baseline assessments is completed, participants will be randomly allocated to one of the two groups using stratified randomization based on equal distribution of age and gender ratio. Expected results: * Reduce the incidence of falls among the nursing homes residents of the intervention group (IG) * Increase of lower extremity physical functional ability (balance, gait speed, and strength) of the IG * Improvement of level of physical activity independency of the IG * Improvement of functional independency of the IG * Improvement of physical and psychological well-being among IG.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Fall Exercise Intervention Elderly Population

Interventions

Physical exercise interventionsOTHER

Participants will undergo a 12-week multicomponent exercise regimen, twice per week on non-consecutive days for 45-60 min each. The session will be divided into 4 min of warm-up; range of motion exercises of upper and lower extremities, followed by light walking, then 8 min balance exercises, followed by 15 min strength exercises; two sets of 13-15 repetitions maximum of chair rises with progression, two sets of 13-15 repetitions of modified squats (holding a chair backrest if needed) with progression, 2 sets of 20-30 repetitions of seated or 2 sets of 13-15 repetitions of standing calf raises, then 15 min aerobic exercises; five 3-min bouts of walking between two strengthening exercises and/or 2 balance exercises, finally 3 min cool down exercises of light walking and stretching exercises.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Willingness to participate * Males and females aged ≥65 years living in nursing homes * Physically mobile (capable of ambulating/rising from chair with or without assistance) * Not under simultaneous physical activity/exercise investigation in other experimental studies or under other exercise rehabilitation programme * To be able to read and understand the self-reported assessments as well as follow the verbal instructions. Exclusion Criteria: * Physically unable or medically unfit to participate in physical exercise after consultation of the responsible medical team * Score of \< 18 on mini-mental state examination (MMSE).

Locations (1)

University of Pécs

Pécs, Hungary

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Number of all falls (non-injurious and injurious)

Whenever a fall occurred for any of the participants during intervention time, it will be recorded by the staff and reported on a fall incidence report. All fall will be reported; non-injurious (i.e., does not result in a physical harm), moderate injurious falls (i.e., result in bruising, sprains, cuts, abrasions, or reduction in physical function for at least three days, or if the participant sought medical help), and serious injurious falls (i.e., result in a fracture or admission to hospital with an injury or required stitches).

Time frame: During the 12-week of the intervention.

Secondary Outcomes

Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)

An instrument to test the lower extremity functionality, it consists of 3 types of balance tests (side-by-side stand, semi-tandem stand, tandem stand), a 4-m gait speed test, and a chair sit-to-stand test. Each domain is scored between 0 and 4 and the overall score ranges from 0 (low mobility/functionality) to 12 (full mobility/ functionality).

Time frame: Baseline and 12th week.

Six-minute Walking Test (6MWT)

A timed walk test used to evaluate physical function related to lower extremities strength and mobility. Participants will walk the longest distance possible within 6 min. The outcome is the total walking distance in meters, with higher score indicates better performance.

Time frame: Baseline and 12th week.

Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT)

A test to measure functional mobility. The outcome measure will be time in seconds, taken to stand up from a chair, walk 3 m, turn, return to the chair, and sit down. Lower score indicates better performance.

Time frame: Baseline and 12th week.

Single Leg Stance Test (SLST)

A test to evaluate the static balance capability. Participants will be asked to stand barefoot on 1leg with eyes open on firm surface for as long as possible; the time in seconds will be recorded using a stopwatch. The participants will complete 3 trials on each leg, and a mean score will be calculated for each leg.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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