Goal: This pilot study aims to determine whether practicing getting down to and standing up from the floor reduces fear of falling (FoF) and improves older adults' ability to complete this task. The study compares this to a control group that watches educational videos on the same topic. This practice is referred to as Floor-Rise Training (FRT). Main Questions: 1. Can a short FRT intervention reduce fear of falling? 2. Can a short FRT intervention improve the ability to rise from kneeling, sitting, and lying positions? 3. Does watching an instructional video on FRT improve fear of falling or floor-rise ability? Study Design: Researchers will compare: * A group receiving 20 minutes of FRT weekly for 5 weeks. * A control group watching FRT videos followed by discussions over the same period. Changes in floor-rise ability and FoF will be assessed to determine the effectiveness of FRT. Participants: Participants will be recruited from five Otago exercise classes (a falls prevention program without FRT) in Renfrewshire. Each class will be randomly assigned to either: * The FRT intervention group (3 classes). * The control group (2 classes) watching videos that include an FRT demonstration. Participants will complete questionnaires (to assess FoF) and timed floor-rise tests before and after the intervention. Some may also be invited to focus groups to share their experiences with the intervention, videos and with our recruitment procedures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
61
Practicing getting up from the floor using the Backward Chaining Method (BCM) for 20 minutes per week for 5 weeks
Watching a 20-min video on floor-rise technique and over 5 weeks, with discussions. This video explains how to get up safely from the floor and how to practice.
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I)
A 16-item questionnaire that assesses concern about falling during daily activities. Scores range from 16 (no concern) to 64 (severe concern). A lower score indicates a lower fear of falling.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 week following the intervention (6 weeks post-baseline).
Timed Floor-Rise (Supine to Standing)
Time taken (in seconds) for a participant to rise independently from a supine position (lying on their back) to a standing position using a sturdy chair. Faster time indicates improved ability.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 week following the intervention (6 weeks post-baseline).
Timed Floor-Rise (Sitting to Standing)
Time taken (in seconds) for a participant to rise from a sitting position on the floor to standing using a sturdy chair. Faster time indicates improved ability.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 week following the intervention (6 weeks post-baseline).
Timed Floor-Rise (Kneeling to Standing)
Time taken (in seconds) for a participant to rise from a kneeling position to standing using a sturdy chair. Faster time indicates improved ability.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 week following the intervention (6 weeks post-baseline).
Perceived Ability to Manage Falls (PAMF)
The PAMF is a 5-item questionnaire measuring confidence in independently recovering from a fall. Scores range from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater confidence.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 week following the intervention (6 weeks post-baseline).
Fear of Falling Visual Analog Scale (VAS) - Indoor
Participants mark with an "x" on a 0-100 scale measuring fear of falling indoors, with higher scores indicating greater fear.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 week following the intervention (6 weeks post-baseline).
Fear of Falling Visual Analog Scale (VAS) - Outdoor
Participants mark with an "x" on a 0-100 scale measuring fear of falling outdoors, with higher scores indicating greater fear.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 week following the intervention (6 weeks post-baseline).
Activity Avoidance (VAS)
Participants mark with an "x" on a 0-100 scale measuring the percentage of activities avoided due to fear of falling, with higher scores indicating greater avoidance.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 week following the intervention (6 weeks post-baseline).
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.