View clinical trials related to Fall Risk.
Filter by:The primary goal of this dissertation study is to determine if a home-based multiplanar balance training program with electronic assistance, will be effective in reducing one's fall risk category. Hypothesis: After 12 weeks, there will be a statistically significant decrease in the fall risk category for individuals in a home-based multiplanar balance training and educational program with electronic assistance as compared to no change in the fall risk category for individuals in an educational control group with electronic assistance Hypothesis: To determine if an individual's fear of falling is lower following a home-based multiplanar balance training and educational program, with electronic assistance as compared to no change in fear of falling following an educational control group with electronic assistance post-intervention. Hypothesis: An individual's quality of life will improve following a home-based multiplanar balance training and educational program, with electronic assistance as compared to no change in the quality of life following an educational control group with electronic assistance post-intervention. Hypothesis: Adherence and feasibility will be greater with a home-based multiplanar balance training program, with electronic assistance as compared to a control group with electronic assistance. Hypothesis: There will be a statistically significant inverse relationship between an individual's fear of falling and their fall risk category.
Background of the study: Falling is highly prevalent among older adults and has serious societal impact. Falls occur mainly during walking as a result of altered gait and/or the inability to maintain balance. The plantar intrinsic foot muscles (PIFM) have a role in these dynamic functions. When these muscles atrophy, as happens with advancing age, strengthening these muscles may be beneficial in order to improve or retain gait performance. Objective of the study: To investigate the effect of adding PIFM strengthening exercises to fall prevention programs compared to fall prevention programs alone on maximum gait speed in mobile older adults. The secondary objective is to also investigate the effect on: foot muscles' size, foot function during gait, balance during gait, discomfort during or after the training, self-reported mobility limitations, physical activity level, fall incidents during the intervention, fear of falling, foot plantar pressure during gait, static balance, toe flexor strength, physical functioning, foot morphology, foot posture. Study design: An investigator-blinded parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT), with a 12-week PIFM strengthening intervention period and pre- and post-intervention laboratory measurements. Study population: Older adults (>65 years) who are free of any known condition or disease that interferes with the execution of the exercise program. Intervention: Both the control and the intervention group continue with the regular exercise therapy to prevent falling. On top of this, the intervention group is delivered a 12-weeks exercise program consisting of foot strengthening exercises prescribed for 5 daily sessions a week, of which 1 supervised, 20 minutes per session. Primary study parameters/outcome of the study: The post-intervention difference between the intervention and control group in maximum gait speed. Secondary study parameters/outcome of the study: The post-intervention difference between the intervention and control group in foot muscles' size, foot function during gait, balance during gait, discomfort during or after the training, self-reported mobility limitations, physical activity level, fall incidents during the intervention, fear of falling, foot plantar pressure during gait, static balance, toe flexor strength, physical functioning, foot morphology, foot posture. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The burden for the participant consists mainly of 1) the time spent and effort put in engaging in the exercise therapy, 2) any discomfort (e.g., fatigue) or pain (e.g., cramp, muscle soreness) during or after the exercises, 3) the time that is spent on the measurement occasions (home visits: 1 x 1 hour (+ 1 x 30 minutes for the intervention group); laboratory: 2 x 3 hours), 4) the necessity of travelling to the motion analysis laboratory, 5) the inconvenience of wearing the activity monitor attached to the skin of the thigh for 7 days, and 6) questionnaires may unintentionally make the subject aware of declined health conditions.
Because the increasing fall problem, mainly due to an impaired gait and balance ability, this study will investigate fall risk by detecting fall related movement characteristics. Based on the promising results using accelerometry for accurate and objective gait analysis, fall risk will be measured using a triaxial accelerometer. At the moment our group is performing a study titled 'identify subjects at risk for falling using accelerometry'. In this study, fall related movement characteristics (gait, balance, stumble reaction) are identified in healthy younger and older subjects under standardised laboratory circumstances. In this way, specific characteristics can be selected which are responsible for fall risk. The aim of this study is investigating if the acceleration based fall risk detector can be applied in daily life with target groups.
Because the increasing fall problem, mainly due to an impaired gait and balance ability and partly caused by trips, this study will investigate fall risk by detecting fall related movement characteristics and by detecting stumbles inclusive the compensation mechanism to recover from the trip. Based on the promising results using accelerometry for accurate and objective gait analysis, fall risk will be measured in younger and older (>60y) subjects using a triaxial accelerometer.