NCT04087512

Instrumented vs. Conventional Perturbation-based Balance Training for Fall Prevention

Comparison of an Instrumented and a Conventional Perturbation-Based Balance Training for Preventing Falls in Older Persons

• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 71 (actual)
• Sponsor: Leon Brüll · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

In the past years, several studies have demonstrated the potential of task-specific perturbation-based balance training (PBT) for preventing falls at age. However, different paradigms of PBT have been investigated so far, while a comparison of these paradigms is lacking. Therefore, in this study, we plan to compare two promising PBT approaches in terms of feasibility and effects on fall risk-associated motor performance: 1. Training of dynamic stability mechanisms in the presence of perturbations induced by unstable surfaces; 2. Technology-supported training on a perturbation treadmill. In addition, both approaches will be compared with a passive control group. One-hundred and eleven participants aged 65 years or older will be randomly assigned to the three arms of the study. As the primary outcome, we will assess fall risk by use of the Brief-BESTest. Secondary outcomes include balance performance, functional performance, force capacity, and more. We hypothesize that both interventions will lead to a significant reduction of fall risk compared to the control group. Additionally, we will explore whether one of the two PBT paradigms is superior regarding feasibility and effectiveness.

Conditions

• Fall Risk, Fall Prevention

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Training on perturbation treadmill	Perturbations into different directions are induced during static and dynamic tasks on a treadmill. Perturbations include announced and unannounced perturbations. Intensity and number of perturbations increases over the course of the intervention based on judgement of participant. Intervention duration: 6 weeks, 3 sessions a week, each session approx. 30 minutes.
OTHER	Exercises of dynamic stability under unstable conditions	The mechanisms of dynamic stability recovery are trained under unstable conditions. Different unstable undergrounds are used to stand on, perform lunges or jumps. Additionally, balance is challenged by different restrictions (e.g. decreased base of support, closed eyes) or therapist-applied perturbations. Intervention duration: 6 weeks, 3 sessions a week, each session approx. 45 minutes.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-09-23
• Primary completion: 2020-10-23
• Completion: 2020-10-23
• First posted: 2019-09-12
• Last updated: 2022-09-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany