Fall, Hearing Loss, Postural Balance
Conditions
Brief summary
The goal of this study is to learn about how hearing loss impacts balance intervention outcomes and risk of falling in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How does the evidence-based A Matter of Balance (AMOB) program affect older adults' falls risk and balance-related measures? * Is the severity of someone's hearing loss related to their balance intervention (AMOB) outcomes? Participants will: * Complete a hearing and balance test * Answer some questions about their background and health history, their thoughts about potential falls and how this impacts them, and their current physical activity level * Participate in the A Matter of Balance Program, an evidence-based program that includes group discussion, activities, and exercises to reduce fall risk
Interventions
BEHAVIORALA Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls
A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based program targeting physical activity and fall prevention for adults 60 years of age and older. This program incorporates active learning discussions and activities along with exercise training to reduce the fear of falling, improve fall efficacy and management, and increase physical activity levels in older adults.
Sponsors
University of Arkansas
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* age of 60 years old or greater * absence of any major physical or health condition that would prevent participation in the intervention sessions * English speaking
Exclusion criteria
* severe balance disorder diagnosis * uncorrected severe vision impairment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in postural sway from baseline to after completion of AMOB | baseline and within 1 month post training | Postural sway will be assessed using a Balance Tracking Systems pressure plate. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in balance confidence from baseline to after completion of AMOB | baseline and within 1 month post training | Assessed via the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale. Each item is rated as a percentage reflecting an individual's level of confidence in being able to perform the activity without losing their balance (0% - no confidence, 100% - completely confident). The ratings are then averaged across the 16 items for the total score. A higher score suggests higher self confidence related to balance. |
| Change in falls risk from baseline to after completion of AMOB | baseline and within 1 month post training | Assessed via Falls Risk Questionnaire. Point values are allocated to each questionnaire item (range: 0-14) with higher scores suggesting a greater falls risk. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed