Translation of an Evidence-Based Fall-Prevention Program Into Rural West Virginia Churches

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Accidental Falls

• Registration Number: NCT01961037
• Lead Sponsor: West Virginia University

Brief Summary

Falls are the leading cause of death and injuries in adults over age 65 both nationally and in West Virginia. Rurality, age, physical inactivity, and chronic conditions, such as arthritis, are strong risk factors for falls in this population. West Virginia has a higher than average fall rate, the second oldest population, the greatest proportion of inactive adults, and the second highest prevalence of arthritis in the US. Thus, older adults in rural West Virginia are at high risk for falls and in great need of public health fall prevention programs. The Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance (MFBB) program is a community-based, fall-prevention exercise program for older adults. A waiver of informed consent will be requested to conduct the telephone screenings to determine study eligibility. We will enroll up to 300 people in classes to be held at 20 churches in West Virginia. Classes will be held twice per week for 16 weeks and taught by certified MFBB instructors. Participants will be interviewed by telephone, have a brief physical function ability exam, and complete a questionnaire before starting the exercise class, at the end of the class, and 4 months later. The study is being conducted to answer the following questions: 1) What are the functional improvements of older adults who participate in a 16-week MFBB program; 2) What is the rate of falls for those adults; 3) What is the rate and severity of those fall-related injuries of the MFBB participants? The purpose of the study is to: 1) implement a 16-week intervention of MFBB with a 16-week follow-up, in older adults in churches in rural West Virginia; 2) describe functional and fall/injury outcomes. Ultimately, we will translate an efficacious and effective fall-prevention intervention into a new setting.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2013-09-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-10-09
• Study First Posted: 2013-10-11
• Study Start: 2014-02
• Primary Completion: 2015-03
• Study Completion: 2015-03
• Status Verified: 2015-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-12-22
• Last Update Posted: 2015-12-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 236

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged 55 years or older

Exclusion Criteria

• None

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
10-Meter Walk Test	16 weeks	A timed 10-Meter Walk Test at a self-selected walking speed will be used to determine gait speed

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of fall-related injuries	32 weeks	Measure the number of reported fall-related injuries by study participants during the intervention and during the 16-week period after the intervention is complete.
Number of falls	32 weeks	Measure the number of reported falls by study participants during the intervention and during the 16-week period after the intervention is complete.

Trial Locations

Locations (8)

Hughes River Presbyterian Church; 🇺🇸 Cairo, West Virginia, United States

Cisco Community Church; 🇺🇸 Petroleum, West Virginia, United States

First Baptist Church; 🇺🇸 Spencer, West Virginia, United States

Wesley United Methodist Church; 🇺🇸 Ellenboro, West Virginia, United States

First Assembly of God; 🇺🇸 Harrisville, West Virginia, United States

Harper Memorial Church; 🇺🇸 Gandeeville, West Virginia, United States

Memorial United Methodist Church; 🇺🇸 Spencer, West Virginia, United States

Spencer Presbyterian Church; 🇺🇸 Spencer, West Virginia, United States