Evaluation of a Balance-recovery Specific Falls Prevention Exercise Program

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Accidental Falls
• Interventions: Other: Flexibility and relaxation exercise; Behavioral: Balance training (exercise)

• Registration Number: NCT00187317
• Lead Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

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.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2005-09-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-09-09
• Study First Posted: 2005-09-16
• Study Start: 2005-11
• Primary Completion: 2007-03
• Study Completion: 2008-03
• Status Verified: 2010-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2010-04-01
• Last Update Posted: 2010-04-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 37

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
CON	Flexibility and relaxation exercise	Flexibility and relaxation training.
PERT	Balance training (exercise)	Perturbation-based balance training.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Ability to recover balance by stepping and grasping	Before and after 6-week intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fall frequency; clinical measures related to balance and fall risk (e.g. FallScreen, Community Balance and Mobility Scale, balance confidence)	One year post-intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centre for Studies in Aging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; 🇨🇦 Toronto, Ontario, Canada