NCT00187317

Evaluation of a Balance-recovery Specific Falls Prevention Exercise Program

Development and Evaluation of a Perturbation-based Balance-training Program for Older Adults

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 37 (actual)
• Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 64 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to investigate the potential to train compensatory stepping and grasping reactions for the prevention of falls.

Detailed description

Physical activity and exercise have been shown to prevent falling in older adults, although the exact mechanisms by which exercise prevents falls is unclear. Compensatory stepping and grasping reactions are frequently used to prevent a fall to the ground following a loss of balance. Age-related impairment in these reactions may be related to an increased risk of falling. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate means for reversing age-related impairment in compensatory stepping and grasping reactions. A training program involving perturbation-evoked reactions will be evaluated. Comparison(s): Balance recovery ability before and after a 6-week training program will be assessed. Performance of the training group will be compared to a control group not receiving stepping and grasping training.

Conditions

• Accidental Falls

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Balance training (exercise)	Perturbation-based balance training. 30-minute sessions three times per week for six weeks.
OTHER	Flexibility and relaxation exercise	30-minute sessions, three times per week for six weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2005-11-01
• Primary completion: 2007-03-01
• Completion: 2008-03-01
• First posted: 2005-09-16
• Last updated: 2010-04-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada