A Study of Why People With Early Memory Problems Fall or Almost Fall

University of Saskatchewan

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Near-Falls; Falls; Dementia

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00434889

BIO-REB 06-181

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that are associated with falls and near falls in community-dwelling older adults with early-stage dementia.

Full description

The specific objectives of this six month study are to: characterize falls and near-falls in community dwelling older adults with early-stage dementia; determine which potentially modifiable physical fall risk factors contribute to falls and near-falls in older adults with early-stage dementia; examine the relationship between dementia sub-type, medical and neuropsychological factors, balance and gait, and falls and near-falls in community dwelling older adults with early-stage dementia.

Enrollment: 200 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• males or females over the age of 50 with early-stage dementia as described by Global Deterioration Scale levels 2,3,4 or 5.

Exclusion criteria

• subjects who have a medical condition that significantly predispose them to falls (Meneire's disease or Parkinson's disease)
• subjects without a caregiver/spouse to assist with the completion of a Fall Diary
• subjects unable to stand independently or safely walk a short distance either unaided or with the support of an assistive device
• subjects unable to safely complete the balance and gait evaluations.

Trial design

200 participants in 2 patient groups

1

Description:

Memory problems

2

Description:

No memory problems