Feasibility of High-intensity Functional Exercise with Simultaneous Cognitive Challenge for Older People with Falls Risk

Launched by UMEÅ UNIVERSITY · Jan 11, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a special exercise program designed for older adults who are at risk of falling. The program combines high-intensity functional exercises, which help improve strength and balance, with cognitive challenges to keep the mind active. The goal is to see if this combined approach is safe and acceptable for older people and to track how well they can participate in the program over three months. Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will do the new exercise program, and the other will do a similar exercise program without the cognitive challenges.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be 75 years or older and have a moderate risk of falling, which may include feeling unsteady or having fallen in the past year. They should be able to walk independently without a walking aid. However, those who have a high risk of falling, certain cognitive issues, or medical conditions that could interfere with the exercises are not eligible to participate. Throughout the trial, participants can expect personalized exercise sessions supervised by a physiotherapist twice a week, along with support and guidance to ensure their safety and well-being.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • aged 75 years or older
• • moderate risk of falling (feeling unsteady or afraid of falling, or having fallen in the past year, with a self-selected gait speed ≤0,8 m/s or TUG \>15 s without walking aid)
• • can walk independently indoors, without a walking aid
• • can walk 500m independently outdoors, with or without a walking aid
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • a high fall risk (≥2 falls in the past year, serious injury e.g. hip fracture from a fall in the past year requiring medical care, or inability to get up from the floor after a fall)
• • Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \<24 or dementia diagnosis
• • a medical condition that may affect participation in high-intensity gait, balance, and leg strength exercise, or other movement-related conditions affecting exercise or tests (e.g., pain, dizziness, visual or hearing impairment)