Neck Integration and Eye Movement Training for Fall Risk in the Elderly

Kaohsiung Medical University

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Oculomotor System; Proprioception, Postural Balance; Elderly

Treatments: Behavioral: Neck Strengthening Only; Behavioral: Combining neck muscle strengthening with oculomotor saccade tasks.

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07167979

KMUHIRB-F(I)-20240131

Details and patient eligibility

About

Age is one of the primary risk factors for falls, with risk increasing as people get older. Research on fall risk and prevention has identified hundreds of contributing factors, showing that falls have complex and multifactorial causes. Risk factors can be categorized as environmental, extrinsic, or intrinsic. Intrinsic factors include physiological aspects-such as reduced lower-limb strength, impaired gait and balance, weaker grip strength, diminished sensory function, and poorer sensorimotor control-as well as psychological aspects, including fear of falling, depression, and cognitive decline. Strongly associated intrinsic risk factors include a history of falls, physical weakness, gait and balance disorders, certain medications, and dizziness. While fixed factors like age and fall history cannot be changed, identifying and targeting modifiable risk factors is crucial for prevention. Among these, gait and balance impairments are considered the most important modifiable intrinsic factors.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 85 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 65 to 85 years. Able to independently perform mobility necessary for activities of daily living.

No major medical conditions that significantly affect functional capacity.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of central nervous system disorders (e.g., stroke). Severe musculoskeletal or visual injury of the lower limbs within the past three months that prevents participation in assessments.

Cognitive impairment. Current use of antidepressant medications.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Neck Strengthening Only

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The control group will receive an intervention consisting of neck muscle strengthening only.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Neck Strengthening Only

Neck Strengthening plus Oculomotor Training

Experimental group

Description:

The experimental group will receive an intervention combining neck muscle strengthening with oculomotor saccade tasks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Combining neck muscle strengthening with oculomotor saccade tasks.