Physical Exercise and Jaques-Dalcroze Eurhythmics: Effects on Physical and Cognitive Functions, and Falls in Seniors (EPHYCOS)

University Hospitals (UH)

Status

Completed

Conditions

Cognitive Function

Physical Function

Falls

Treatments

Behavioral: Multicomponent exercise training

Behavioral: Jaques-Dalcroze eurhythmics training

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT01811745

12-175

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and the possible mechanisms underlying music-based multitask training (i.e., Jaques-Dalcroze eurhythmics) in older people, compared to multicomponent exercise training.

This study is designed as a 12-month, prospective, single-centre, single-blind, 2-arm, parallel group, randomized controlled trial in which 140 community-dwelling older adults at high risk of falls are randomly assigned to receive either a music-based multitask training intervention (i.e., Jaques-Dalcroze eurhythmics) or a multicomponent exercise training intervention, for 12 months. A 12-month follow-up is planned with outcome measures assessed at three time points: baseline (before intervention initiation), 6-month (intervention mid-point), and 12-month (intervention termination). Outcomes of interest include physical and cognitive performances, and falls. In addition, the investigators specifically address brain circuits in an exploratory sub-study. Volunteer trial participants from both study arms are invited to undergo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at baseline and 12-month.

Enrollment

142 patients

Sex

All

Ages

65+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

aged ≥ 65 years (no upper age limit)
living in the community, even in protected housing
identified as being at high risk of falls (i.e., one or more self-reported falls after the age of 65 years or balance impairment as assessed by a simplified Tinetti test or presence of one or two indicators of physical frailty based on Fried's criteria)
willing to comply with all study requirements

Exclusion criteria

neurological or orthopaedic disease (e.g., stroke with residual motor deficit, Parkinson's disease) with a significant impact on gait and balance performances
fully dependent on a technical aid for walking such as canes or walker
diagnosis of dementia based on a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment
participation in a Jaques-Dalcroze Eurhythmics program or a supervised multicomponent exercise program in the past 12 months
serious medical conditions or other factors that may limit adherence to interventions or affect conduct of the trial (e.g., terminal illness)