Pilot Feasibility Study of a Fall Prevention Exercise Programme for Community-dwelling Older Adults in Nanchang, China

University of Malaya

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Fall Prevention

Treatments: Behavioral: Tai Chi; Behavioral: Safe & Joyful Walk

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07341802

UM.TNC2/UMREC_3210

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility of a fall prevention exercise programme for older adults living in urban communities in China. The study will also gather preliminary data on whether the programme can improve adherence to exercise and reduce falls.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is the Safe & Joyful Walk programme feasible and acceptable for older adults in urban China?
• Does the programme help participants stick to regular exercise?
• Does the programme show early signs of improving balance, walking speed, and reducing falls?

Researchers will compare the Safe & Joyful Walk programme to Tai Chi to see which approach may better support exercise adherence and fall prevention.

Participants will:

• Attend 24 instructor-led group exercise sessions over 12 weeks
• Complete additional unsupervised home-based exercise practices during the same 12-week intervention period
• Continue unsupervised exercises during a 24-week follow-up period to assess long-term adherence
• Complete surveys, interviews, and physical tests at baseline, 12 weeks, and 36 weeks
• Record their exercise and any falls in diaries and calendars

Enrollment: 36 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• age 60 years or older;
• Mandarin-speaking;
• independent in activities of daily living;
• able to walk 10 m without the use of a walking aid;
• willingness to provide informed consent and comply with the study protocol.

Exclusion criteria

• an acute psychiatric condition with psychosis;
• an unstable medical condition that would preclude safe participation;
• a progressive neurological condition (such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Meniere's disease);
• cognitive impairment defined as a Pfeiffer Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) score <8 ;
• residing in residential aged care, currently participating in a fall prevention trial.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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36 participants in 2 patient groups

Safe & Joyful Walk

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will attend 24 instructor-led group sessions over 12 weeks, focusing on balance, strength, and functional exercises. In addition, they will complete unsupervised home-based practices so that, together with the group sessions, they achieve the weekly target of 120 minutes of exercise. Instructional videos, printed manuals, and WeChat reminders will support independent practice.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Safe & Joyful Walk

Tai Chi

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will attend 24 instructor-led group sessions over 12 weeks, practicing 24-form simplified Yang-style Tai Chi. In addition, they will complete unsupervised home-based practices so that, together with the group sessions, they achieve the weekly target of 120 minutes of exercise. Instructional videos, printed manuals, and WeChat reminders will support independent practice.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Tai Chi