Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults

US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2; Phase 1

Conditions: Accidental Falls

Treatments: Behavioral: Attention Control; Behavioral: fall prevention training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT00714051

E4955-R

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a fall prevention program for older adults. Participants assigned to the intervention group will train weekly on a special treadmill that will simulate tripping. Patients not assigned to the tripping program will walk on a standard treadmill.

Full description

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a fall prevention program for older adults. Participants assigned to the intervention group will train weekly on a special treadmill that will simulate tripping. Patients not assigned to the tripping program will walk on a standard treadmill. The training program will last for 4 weeks. Upon completion, participants will complete a test where a trip is simulated. Those assigned to the intervention group will test one additional time as well.

Enrollment: 55 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 65-80 yr old,
• normal reflexes and muscle tone

Exclusion criteria

• lower extremity fracture or surgery last 5 yrs
• back surgery or disc herniation last 5 yrs
• noticeable gait impairment,
• low back pain,
• decreased disease-related vision,
• dizziness,
• history of heart problems,
• bone mineral density <.65,
• mini-mental score <24

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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55 participants in 2 patient groups

Fall Prevention Training

Experimental group

Description:

The falls prevention training group participated in four weekly training sessions on a custom-built treadmill that produced trip-simulating perturbations (movements). While harnessed overhead to prevent actual falls, the treadmill stopped or moved suddenly. The goal for the participant was to try and prevent a fall. Each week, the level of difficulty of the task was increased.

Treatment:

Behavioral: fall prevention training

Attention Control

Active Comparator group

Description:

The attention control group participated in four weekly treadmill walking sessions at a self-selected speed.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Attention Control