NCT03176511

Fall Prevention in Older Adults Study

Novel Dual-Task Balance Challenge to Prevent Falls in Older Adults

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 17 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Arizona · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Poor balance is one of the major risk factors for falling in older adults. A Matter of Balance (MOB) is one of the most commonly used fall prevention programs nationally. Despite its name, MOB focuses on managing concerns about falling, and does not include a balance component. We are testing to see if adding a dual-task balance component (balance and mental thinking) to MOB can improve balance and walking better, than MOB only.

Detailed description

Fall prevention interventions among community-dwelling older adults are essential. A Matter of Balance (MOB) is one of the most commonly used community-based fall prevention interventions nationally, and is considered the 'fall prevention standard of care'. MOB programs are targeted to reduce the fear of falling and promote physical activity among all older community-dwelling adults. While evidence indicates that the MOB program leads to small, sustained decreases in older adults' perceived fear of falling, there is no evidence of objectively measured balance and gait. Despite its name, MOB focuses on cognitive restructuring to manage concerns about falling, and does not include a balance component. Among community-dwelling older adults, both intact balance and concomitant attention ("dual-tasking") are essential to prevent falls, and dual-task balance components are now requisite per evidence-based fall prevention intervention guidelines.

Conditions

• Accidental Fall
• Postural Balance

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	A Matter of Balance plus Dual-Task Balance Challenge Group	Participants will receive the standard MOB classes, along with a 15-min DTBC each class, i.e., right and left foot ankle-reaching to three differently colored markers. Three colored dots are placed on the ground in an arc, using different colored stick-on dots. A chair can be placed in front of the color pattern, as needed for safety.
BEHAVIORAL	A Matter of Balance Group	Participants will receive the standard MOB class, taught by a certified MOB, using course materials developed by MaineHealth's Partnering for Healthy Aging (http://www.mainehealth.org/pfha).

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-07-25
• Primary completion: 2017-10-11
• Completion: 2018-03-30
• First posted: 2017-06-05
• Last updated: 2018-10-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States