Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Conditions
Keywords
Balance, Falls, Exercise, COPD
Brief summary
There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that older adults with COPD have important problems with their balance and a high incidence of falls compared to those of a similar age. This research will explore the feasibility and preliminary effects of a tailored 6-month home balance exercise program for reducing falls in older adults with COPD.
Detailed description
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly prevalent among older adults and is a leading cause of death, disability and hospitalization in Canada. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that older adults with COPD have important problems with their balance and a high incidence of falls compared to those of a similar age. This research will explore the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a tailored 6-month home balance exercise program for reducing falls in older adults with COPD. The primary objective of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility of a tailored home balance intervention for older adults with COPD in terms of recruitment, retention and adherence. The secondary objective is to examine the within-subject effects of the home-balance intervention on intermediate outcomes linked to falls including balance, functional strength and self-reported disability. Thirty-five older adults with COPD will be recruited from respirology clinics at West Park Healthcare Centre (Toronto) and the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health (Hamilton) to participate in a single-group, non-randomized clinical trial. Eligible participants will be enrolled in a 6-month balance home exercise intervention. The home program will be supervised by a physiotherapist and outcome measures will be collected at home at baseline, 3- and 6-months by a research assistant not involved in the intervention.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALHome balance exercise program
Sponsors
West Park Healthcare Centre
McMaster University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* a clinical diagnosis of COPD; * age ≥ 60 yrs; * a history of 1 or more falls in the previous year; * ability to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* inability to communicate in English; * history of significant cardiovascular disease; * marked decrease in arterial oxygen saturation at rest or during previous assessments of exercise capacity; * severe cognitive impairment; * evidence of a condition that severely limits mobility and may jeopardize safety; * completion of a course of rehabilitation in the last 6 months or on a wait list for admission to rehabilitation.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment rate | Baseline | Percentage of eligible patients that consent to enroll in the study |
| Compliance | 6 months | Mean number of prescribed exercise sessions completed |
| Retention rate | 6 months | Percentage of the sample that complete all 3 outcome assessments |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 30-second Sit-to-Stand Test | baseline 3 months, 6 months | Measure of functional lower body strength |
| Self-reported function (PF-10) | baseline, 3 months, 6 months | Physical function sub-scale of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-form Health Survey |
| Activity-Specific Balance Confidence questionnaire | baseline, 3 months, 6 months | Measure of balance confidence |
| Berg Balance Scale | baseline, 3 months, 6 months | Measure of balance |
| Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) | baseline, 3 months, 6 months | Measure of balance |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of falls reported per participant | Baseline, 6 months | Fall history will be measured at baseline and prospectively using monthly fall diaries |
| Adverse events | 6 months | Adverse event history will be tracked |
| Patient satisfaction questionnaire | 6 months | Measure of patient satisfaction |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed