Evaluation of a Balance-recovery Specific Falls Prevention Exercise Program

Development and Evaluation of a Perturbation-based Balance-training Program for Older Adults

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 1

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00187317

Enrollment

Registered

2005-09-16

Start date

2005-11-30

Completion date

2008-03-31

Last updated

2010-04-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Accidental Falls

Keywords

Exercise, Rehabilitation, Postural Balance, Accidental Falls, Geriatrics

Brief summary

This study aims to investigate the potential to train compensatory stepping and grasping reactions for the prevention of falls.

Detailed description

Physical activity and exercise have been shown to prevent falling in older adults, although the exact mechanisms by which exercise prevents falls is unclear. Compensatory stepping and grasping reactions are frequently used to prevent a fall to the ground following a loss of balance. Age-related impairment in these reactions may be related to an increased risk of falling. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate means for reversing age-related impairment in compensatory stepping and grasping reactions. A training program involving perturbation-evoked reactions will be evaluated. Comparison(s): Balance recovery ability before and after a 6-week training program will be assessed. Performance of the training group will be compared to a control group not receiving stepping and grasping training.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALBalance training (exercise)

Perturbation-based balance training. 30-minute sessions three times per week for six weeks.

OTHERFlexibility and relaxation exercise

30-minute sessions, three times per week for six weeks.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

64 Years to 80 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Community dwelling * History of falls (at least 1 fall in the past 12 months) or poor balance * Functional mobility (no dependence on mobility aids)

Exclusion criteria

* Neurological or musculoskeletal disorder * Cognitive disorder (e.g. dementia) * Osteoporosis

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Ability to recover balance by stepping and grasping	Before and after 6-week intervention

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Fall frequency; clinical measures related to balance and fall risk (e.g. FallScreen, Community Balance and Mobility Scale, balance confidence)	One year post-intervention

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026