The long-term goal of this project is to effectively bridge the research-clinic-community gap and to foster partnerships that support the implementation, utilization, and advocacy of evidence-based fall prevention programs in the older adult community. The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is an evidence-based fall prevention program that has been shown to reduce falls and fall-related injuries among older adults. Traditionally, OEP is delivered in the home by a physical therapist and focuses on muscle strengthening and balance training. Despite its proven effectiveness, adherence and compliance rates have been low. The personnel and resource demands of program delivery, along with challenges in monitoring participant adherence, represent significant barriers to broader implementation. Alternative delivery systems using remote and community-based platforms may help address these limitations. Specific Aim 1: To compare the effectiveness of two delivery modes of the Otago Exercise Program: a remotely delivered, home-based smartphone program and an in-person, community-based program. Specific Aim 2: To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of the Otago Exercise Program delivered through both smartphone-based and in-person formats.
Thirty eligible participants will provide written informed consent prior to enrollment. In accordance with the World Guidelines for Falls Prevention, participants will be stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups. Following the first visit assessment, older adults classified as intermediate or high risk will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: (1) a remotely delivered, smartphone- based Otago Exercise Program, or (2) an in-person, community-based Otago Exercise Program. Participants in both groups will receive individualized 60-minute training sessions, two times per week for eight weeks. Across the sixteen training sessions, participants will receive a progressive balance, mobility, and strengthening program following the structure of the Otago Exercise Program. Prior to and immediately following the exercise program, participants are asked to complete several surveys and evaluations, including: demographics, STEADI-12, SF-36, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Four-Square Stepping Test, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Ten-meter Walk Test, Four-Stage Balance Test, 30-second chair stand, and the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA). All outcome measures will be collected at baseline and at the end of the intervention, with testers blinded to participant group allocation, and trainers blinded to baseline outcomes. In addition, gait speed will be assessed weekly using smartphone-based measurements.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
30
Participants in the smartphone-based group will receive Otago Exercise Program instructions delivered through Improve, an investigator-developed application. This application, installed on each participant's iOS or Android smartphone, will allow participants to track their exercises and review workout instructions. Participants in the smartphone-based group will be contacted weekly by phone to ensure safety and adherence and to assist with troubleshooting any technology-related issues. All participants will be instructed to maintain their usual activity patterns and to refrain from initiating any new structured physical activity programs during the 8-week study period. Participants will be directed by Doctor of Physical Therapy students under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist, with weekly phone check-ins.
Participants in the in-person, community-based group will complete the individualized Otago Exercise Program in a group setting at the Johnson City Senior Center, under the guidance of Doctor of Physical Therapy students (4) and supervision of licensed Physical Therapists.
Binghamton University
Binghamton, New York, United States
RECRUITINGGait Velocity
Self-selected walking speed (m/s) over level surface
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 1 week post-training (9 weeks later)
Injurious Falls
Self-reported falls that lead to injury requiring clinical evaluation
Time frame: Up to 1-year post intervention
PPA-Short Form: Postural Sway
Sway Area (units: mm\^2) while standing quietly for 30 seconds
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 1 week post-training (9 weeks later)
PPA-Short Form: Finger Reaction Time
Simple reaction time (units: msec)
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 1 week post-training (9 weeks later)
PPA-Short Form: Knee Extensor Strength
Maximum isometric knee extensor force (kg)
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 1 week post-training (9 weeks later)
PPA-Short Form: Visual Contrast Sensitivity
Melbourne Contrast Sensitivity (db), on a scale of 0-24
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 1 week post-training (9 weeks later)
PPA-Short Form: Proprioception
Degrees offset in foot positioning
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 1 week post-training (9 weeks later)
30-second Chair Stand
Number of chair rises in 30-seconds
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 1 week post-training (9 weeks later)
TUG
Timed up and go test. Rise from a chair, walk 3-meters, turn, and return walk, and sit back down at self-selected speed
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 1 week post-training (9 weeks later)
Four-Stage Balance
Total time to stand in side-to-side, semi-tandem, tandem, one-leg stance.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 1 week post-training (9 weeks later)
Smartphone-based assessments
Self-evaluated walking speed as performed by participants at home
Time frame: Weekly during 8-week training program
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