Mobility Limitation, Vision, Low
Conditions
Keywords
older adults, impaired contrast sensivity
Brief summary
The goal of this study is to learn if contrast frequency on step tread-edges influences foot clearance measures, a marker of fall risk, in older adults with and without visual impairments. The main questions that aim to be answered are how foot clearance measures change across different frequencies of stair contrast, and how experiences and perceptions of different stair contrast frequencies are evaluated. Researchers will compare individuals with and without visual impairments to see if contrast frequency on step tread-edges changes. Participants will attend one visit during which their vision will be measured, and they will be asked to ascend and descend laboratory stairs at different contrast frequencies. An optional second visit will entail a focus group meeting to better understand how contrast affects mobility in their home and everyday life.
Interventions
OTHERFrequency of contrast marking on stair steps
Frequency of contrast marking on stair steps will be evaluated to determine how foot clearance, perceptions in older adults with and without impaired contrast sensivity
Sponsors
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Four contrast frequency conditions by two lighting conditions (N = 8) will be evaluated. The four frequencies are (1) contrast markings added to all steps, (2) contrast markings added to the first, last step, (3) contrast markings added to the first, two and last, two steps, (4) no contrast markings on stairs, in both low light and standard lighting conditions
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. ≥ Contrast sensitivity log 1.6 or greater 2. travels independently in the community, including stairways \> two times/week 3. comfortable ascending and descending a stairway with rest time provided
Exclusion criteria
4. severe rheumatologic and or orthopedic diseases (e.g., awaiting joint replacement, active inflammatory disease) 5. lower-limb injuries and/or recent joint replacements (e.g., hip fracture, hip, or knee replacement within six months of study enrollment)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Toe clearance | visit 1, through study completion, an average of 1 year | Toe, foot vertical clearance on stair steps |
| Heel clearance | visit 1, through study completion, an average of 1 year | heel, foot horizontal clearance on stair steps |
| Frequency of <5mm toe clearances | visit 1, through study completion, an average of 1 year | how often \<5mm toe clearances occur |
| Frequency of <5mm heel clearances | visit 1, through study completion, an average of 1 year | how often \<5mm toe clearances occur |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Likert-Scale responses of contrast marking frequency conditions | visit 1, through study completion, an average of 1 year | 5-point range from strongly dislike to strongly like |
| Perception responses of contrast marking frequency conditions | visit 1, through study completion, an average of 1 year | Collected via auditory responses |
Countries
United States
Contacts
CONTACTSara A Harper, PhD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORSara A Harper, PhD
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Outcome results
None listed