None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Falls are common in the population aged 65 years and over and present a major challenge to older people, health care providers and the health system. Over one third of community dwelling people in this age group fall each year and the rate of falling is even higher in residents of aged care facilities. There is now extensive evidence to demonstrate fall rates can be reduced using exercise. Programs that target balance and lower limb muscle strength appear to be most successful however the vast majority of research has focused on community dwelling adults. The results of trials into exercise on falls prevention in residential care are inconsistent. This randomized controlled trial will test the efficacy of an exercise intervention that combines key components of programs from successful community based research on residents of long term aged care. The primary outcome will be falls (fall rates and number of fallers). Quality of life, mobility, and fear of falling will also be measured and a cost benefit analysis will be performed. Outcomes from this study have the potential to impact on a substantial individual and international healthcare problem.
Interventions
Progressive resistance training (PRT) and balance exercise for residents of Aged Care Facilities. Dosage is two one hour classes per week for 6 months using pneumatic resistance equipment and closely supervised high level balance exercise. PRT will target: hip and knee flexors and extensors, abdominals, back extensors, hip abductors, hip adductors, elbow and shoulder flexors and extensors. Exercise will be individually prescribed and upgraded an exercise professional (physiotherapist or exercise
Progressive resistance training (PRT) and balance exercise for residents of Aged Care Facilities. Dosage is two one hour classes per week for 6 months using pneumatic resistance equipment and closely supervised high level balance exercise. PRT will target: hip and knee flexors and extensors, abdominals, back extensors, hip abductors, hip adductors, elbow and shoulder flexors and extensors. Exercise will be individually prescribed and upgraded an exercise professional (physiotherapist or exercise physiologist) to enable participants to achieve 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions for each exercise. Balance exercises will include a combination of heel raises, stepping in different directions, reaching outside the base of support, single leg standing, step ups and balance platform work. A maintenance program including balance, weight-bearing and functional exercises will continue for the next 6 months. Sessions will be supervised by a diversional therapist or physiotherapy assistant and run twice per week for 20 minutes.
Sponsors
The University of Sydney
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Permanent residents of aged care facilities.
Exclusion criteria
Terminal or unstable illness; significant advanced cognitive decline (that precludes safely following direction for exercise and equipment use); advanced Parkinson's Disease or severe hemiplegia (that precluded inclusion in group exercise); permanently wheel chair or bed bound; or have performed a similar balance and/or resistance training program in the past 12 months; insufficient English to complete outcome measures questionnaires.
Outcome results
None listed