Perturbation-Based Treadmill Training to Prevent Unrecovered Falls in Geriatric Patients

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF OLDENBURG · Oct 21, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a special type of exercise called perturbation-based balance training (PBT) to see if it can help prevent falls in older adults, specifically those aged 70 and over who are at high risk of falling. The goal is to find out if this training can reduce the number of falls that cause serious injuries or require assistance to recover. The researchers will be looking for a total of 396 participants who can walk at least 70 meters in two minutes and have a significant chance of falling in the next year, as assessed by a fall risk tool.

Participants will take part in nine training sessions, where they will either do the PBT exercises or a standard treadmill workout. Before and after the training, as well as at 6 and 12 months later, their progress will be checked, and they will keep track of any falls they experience. To participate, individuals must be able to communicate and cooperate, not have severe cognitive impairment, and meet other specific health criteria. This study is currently looking for volunteers and aims to make a difference in fall prevention for older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ≥ 70 years
• • ≥40% prospective fall risk for the following year according to the Fall Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT-up)
• • Walking distance ≥ 70 m in the 2 Minute Walk Test
• • Possibility to reach the study site at least via taxi
• • Written informed consent, obtained according to international guidelines and local laws
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • MoCA score \< 10 pts (or MMSE \< 17 pts)
• • Performing a Timed up and Go test (TUG) \<10 s
• • Leg amputation
• • Osteosynthesis or joint replacement of lower extremities within the past 6 weeks.
• • Blindness
• • Parkinson's disease with Hoehn and Yahr stage \> 3
• • Body weight \>135 kg and height \>185 cm
• • Life-expectancy \<12 months, instable or severe illness
• • Inability to communicate verbally and coorporate appropriatly
• • (Prior) participation perturbation training programs
• • Gait-relevant foot-drop paresis