Evaluation of a Balance-recovery Specific Falls Prevention Exercise Program

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 1

Conditions: Accidental Falls

Treatments: Behavioral: Balance training (exercise); Other: Flexibility and relaxation exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00187317

NET-54025-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to investigate the potential to train compensatory stepping and grasping reactions for the prevention of falls.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 37 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 64 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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37 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

PERT

Experimental group

Description:

Perturbation-based balance training.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Balance training (exercise)

CON

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Flexibility and relaxation training.

Treatment:

Other: Flexibility and relaxation exercise