Exercise Program for Deaf Seniors to Increase Their Balance and Fitness

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Fall; American Sign Language; Old Age; Deaf

• Registration Number: NCT06912607
• Lead Sponsor: Gallaudet University

Brief Summary

Deaf older adults 60 years and older are enrolled into an 8-week exercise program delivered in American Sign Language. The class meets twice a week, with handout and video homework.

Outcome measures are self-reported balance confidence, lower extremity strength, walking and agility, and standing balance. In addition, attendance and keeping up with exercises at home will be tracked.

Detailed Description

The intervention will be 8 weeks of 2 meetings/wk exercise class, delivered entirely in ASL.

Homework exercise will also be provided.

10-12 participants will be recruited for each of the 4 semesters of offerings.

Physical balance as well as balance confidence will be measured prior to and immediately after the 8-week intervention. In addition, balance confidence will be measured 6-months after the conclusion of the intervention period.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-08-05
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-04-02
• Study First Posted: 2025-04-06
• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-09
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-14
• Primary Completion: 2026-12-31
• Study Completion: 2027-03-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Deaf
• Uses American Sign Language (ASL) fluently
• Community-dwelling
• Able to walk independently for at least 20 ft
• Willing to attend classes twice a week at Gallaudet University

Exclusion Criteria

• Blindness
• Dementia
• Neurological conditions

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Sit-to-Stand	1 - 21 days before the start of intervention; within 2 weeks of the end of intervention	The number of times a person can stand from a chair and sit down, without using hands.
Timed Up-and-Go	1 - 21 days before the start of intervention; within 2 weeks of the end of intervention	The time it takes for a person to stand from a chair, walk 10 ft, turn around, walk back, and sit back down.
Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration on Balance	1 - 21 days before the start of intervention; within 2 weeks of the end of intervention	The measure of how steadily a person can stand under 4 conditions (eyes open, on firm surface, eyes closed on firm surface, eyes open on foam, and eyes closed on foam)
Sit and Reach	1 - 21 days before the start of intervention; within 2 weeks of the end of intervention	How far a person can reach beyond their toes. Measure of flexibility.
Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale	1 - 21 days before the start of intervention; within 2 weeks of the end of intervention, 6 months after intervention	A self-report measure of how confident a person is in not falling under various conditions. Reported in 0-100%; higher score means more confidence (better outcome).
Fall Risk Questionnaire	1 - 21 days before the start of intervention; within 2 weeks of the end of intervention, 6 months after intervention	A self-report measure of the number of risk factors a person exhibits. Reported in a scale of 0-14 points; higher score indicates a greater risk (worse outcome).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Step Count	During intervention	The number of steps gathered through Fitbit
Effective exercise level	During intervention	The Active Zone Minutes gathered through Fitbit
Self-reported exercise level	6 months after the intervention	The participant's report on how much time they are spending on exercises
Attendance rate	During intervention	How many exercise class sessions, out of 16, a participant attended

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gallaudet University; 🇺🇸 Washington, District of Columbia, United States