Increasing the Accessibility of a Falls Prevention Intervention for Community Dwelling Older Adults With Low Vision

Sarah Blaylock

Status: Completed

Conditions: Low Vision; Fall

Treatments: Behavioral: Adapted SAFE Intervention; Behavioral: Original SAFE Intervention

Study type: Interventional

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

Identifiers

NCT03028493

01633

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study serves to test a previously evaluated falls prevention intervention recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, entitled the Study of Accidental Falls in the Elderly (SAFE) Health Behavior and Exercise Intervention, to evaluate if the intervention is accessible to older adults with low vision receiving services from the Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center (SBRC). This study also serves to pilot a version of the SAFE intervention that has been adapted to be accessible for individuals with low vision at SBRC.

Full description

This study serves to compare the comprehension and retention of individuals completing a version of the SAFE falls prevention intervention adapted for low vision versus individuals receiving the original intervention. One group of participants will complete the standard SAFE intervention format while another group will complete the same intervention with written materials adapted for those with vision loss. One intervention (either standard or adapted SAFE program) will be delivered at a time. The SAFE intervention is comprised of four, 90-minute group classes that address environmental, behavioral, and physical falls risk factors. Classes involve lecture and group discussions as well as review of low intensity exercises. The adapted content is presented in large print with high contrast and has been rewritten on a lower grade level. A nutritionist, a physical therapist, a physician, 5 older adults with low vision, 10 low vision occupational therapist, and 5 health literacy experts provided feedback to strengthen the adapted intervention.

Enrollment: 9 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 60 and older;
• Visual impairment with some remaining reading ability.

Exclusion criteria

• Less than age 60;
• Complete blindness;
• Vertebral osteoporosis.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Sequential Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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9 participants in 2 patient groups

Adapted SAFE Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Adapted version of the SAFE Health Behavior and Exercise intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Adapted SAFE Intervention

Original SAFE Intervention

Active Comparator group

Description:

Original version of the SAFE intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Original SAFE Intervention