Development and Evaluation of a Perturbation-based Balance-training Program for Older Adults
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Accidental Falls
- Sponsor
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Enrollment
- 37
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Ability to recover balance by stepping and grasping
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 16 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This study aims to investigate the potential to train compensatory stepping and grasping reactions for the prevention of falls.
Detailed Description
Physical activity and exercise have been shown to prevent falling in older adults, although the exact mechanisms by which exercise prevents falls is unclear. Compensatory stepping and grasping reactions are frequently used to prevent a fall to the ground following a loss of balance. Age-related impairment in these reactions may be related to an increased risk of falling. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate means for reversing age-related impairment in compensatory stepping and grasping reactions. A training program involving perturbation-evoked reactions will be evaluated. Comparison(s): Balance recovery ability before and after a 6-week training program will be assessed. Performance of the training group will be compared to a control group not receiving stepping and grasping training.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Community dwelling
- •History of falls (at least 1 fall in the past 12 months) or poor balance
- •Functional mobility (no dependence on mobility aids)
Exclusion Criteria
- •Neurological or musculoskeletal disorder
- •Cognitive disorder (e.g. dementia)
- •Osteoporosis
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Ability to recover balance by stepping and grasping
Time Frame: Before and after 6-week intervention
Secondary Outcomes
- Fall frequency; clinical measures related to balance and fall risk (e.g. FallScreen, Community Balance and Mobility Scale, balance confidence)(One year post-intervention)