Sub-study of the Essen Study Centre for the ENTAiER Trial

Universität Duisburg-Essen

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronically Ill; Increased Risk of Falling; Elderly Patients

Treatments: Other: Tai Chi; Other: Eurythmy Therapy; Other: Standard Care

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04532073

20-9421-BO

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present study is a sub-study of the ENTAiER study. The ENTAiER study is a multicenter, randomized, controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eurythmy therapy and Tai Chi in comparison to standard care in chronically ill older patients with an increased risk of falling.

In addition to the main questions of the ENTAiER study, three additional questions are being investigated at the Hospital Essen-Steele: Proteome and telomere analyses as well as qualitative parameters are recorded and examined. The aim is to compare the changes in proteomes, telomeres and qualitative factors under eurythmy therapy, Tai Chi and standard care in chronically ill older patients with an increased risk of falling.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• At least 65 years.
• Chronic disease (musculoskeletal, neurological, internal medicine).
• Increased risk of falling (Berg Balance Scale Score 49 or less).
• Medical history: feeling of balance disturbance in the past.
• Independent living at home or in an old people's or retirement home.
• Regular participation in a one-hour event is possible.
• Sufficiently mobile to leave the place of residence independently at least twice a week
• Written declaration of consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Disease that restricts participation (e.g. terminal disease, heart failure NYHA III-IV, unstable angina pectoris, uncontrolled seizure disorder, decompensated lung disease that already leads to shortness of breath during light activity, advanced cancer, chemo- or radiotherapy ongoing or during the last 3 months, amputation of one or both legs)
• Complete dependence on the rollator.
• Visual, hearing or speech problems that limit the understanding of the study documents and processes.
• Major cognitive impairment (MoCA score 18 or less).
• High risk of needing individual supervision during group sessions.
• Severe personality disorder or psychiatric illness, alcoholism or other substance dependence affecting the group sessions.
• Life expectancy under 1 year.
• Permanent bed-riddenness expected in less than one year.
• Regular participation in Tai Chi or EYT in the last 6 months.
• Participation in intensive sports activities in the last month (e.g. training in the fitness centre or in sports groups which lead to breathlessness and sweating; skiing, mountaineering in high mountains).
• Patients who cannot understand the nature, meaning and necessities of participating in a study.
• Participation in another clinical trial within 3 months prior to screening for the ENTAiER trial or concurrent participation in another trial that may interfere with this trial.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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60 participants in 3 patient groups

Eurythmy therapy exercises

Experimental group

Description:

As part of the ENTAiER trial: In group sessions á 5 patients with a qualified therapist: In the first 3 months twice a week, in the second 3 months once a week. Recommendation to practice at home on at least 3 days per week (optimal, practice daily). They are supported by an eurythmy manual and an exercise video. This supplements the regular care.

Treatment:

Other: Eurythmy Therapy

Tai Chi exercises

Experimental group

Description:

As part of the ENTAiER trial:In group sessions of 5 patients each with a qualified teacher: In the first 3 months twice a week, in the second 3 months once a week. Recommendation to practice at home on at least 3 days per week (optimal, practice daily). They are supported by a Tai Chi Manual and an exercise video. This complements the regular care

Treatment:

Other: Tai Chi

Standard Care Only

Active Comparator group

Description:

As part of the ENTAiER trial:Brochure with detailed description of various evidence-based measures for fall prevention, prepared for the specific age group (https://www.trittsicher.org/files/trittsicher_bzga_sturzpraevention_2015-11-23.pdf) - Recommendation to visit the family doctor and discuss fall prophylaxis with her

Treatment:

Other: Standard Care