NCT05715112

Graded Motor Imagery and Fall Risk in Older Adults

Graded Motor Imagery and Fall Risk in Older Adults: An Exploratory Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 42 (actual)
• Sponsor: St. Ambrose University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

To determine if there is any carry over effect of sensation training for the feet, officially called Graded Motor Imagery (GMI), will impact balance and fall risk factors in older individuals. This will be looked at to see if there is a difference in balance and sensation before and right after the training.

Detailed description

In order to increase acuity of body maps, various tactile and movement-based strategies have been recommended and supported for research focusing on sensory discrimination. Current evidence, specific to painful conditions related to altered cortical mapping, have shown growing evidence in reducing pain and disability. In regards to it's ability to alter foot pain in older adults and decreasing fall risk, prior conference case study and case series presentations have suggested potential clinical benefit, but it has not been formally studied. The aim of this study is to determine if a sensory discrimination training for feet in older adults can alleviate pain, improve sensory discrimination, and also decrease fall risk. Specifically, does a 20 minute training session improve pain, balance (Brief-BEST test), and sensory discrimination in individuals over 65 years of age. Secondary analysis may exam characteristics that best identify those who benefit from this training.

Conditions

• Balance
• Fall Risk

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Graded Motor Imagery	GMI consisting of education, sensory integration of the foot using contact, flooring samples, immersion, and two point discrimination.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-08-17
• Primary completion: 2022-08-18
• Completion: 2022-08-18
• First posted: 2023-02-06
• Last updated: 2023-05-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States