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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00805220

Nordic Walking as Gait Training for Frail Elderly

The elderly are the fastest growing proportion of the population. Ageism implies a decline of physical functions affecting functional and safe ambulation. Based on the ICF model intervening in walking capacity could have favourable impact on quality of life of frail elders. Over ground walking training is indicated as a possible exercise. However, to achieve positive results on walking capacity, an exercise-dose response is needed. A more intensive way of promoting walking training is to add skiing poles while walking, a technique called Nordic Walking (NW). This study will be the first to compare NW with usual walking training. It aims to estimate for frail elderly the relative efficacy in improving functional walking capacity of two gait training strategies: NW and usual walking training and explore its impact on fear of falling. This study hypothesized that participants receiving Nordic Walking will walk longer, faster and fear less. NW if proven effective will positively impact on the functional capacities and quality of life of frail elders and provide an more intense method of walking training.

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Key information

Conditions

Frail Elderly

Age range

65 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Geriatric Day Hospital (GDH) at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Loading trial locations.

About this study

This is a single blind, randomized, pilot trial designed to estimate the amount of change between two programs. Subjects will be randomized and stratified by setting into one of two groups, over ground walking training with poles (Nordic Walking) or traditional over ground walking training (without poles). Randomization will be computer generated using randomization scheme from the website Randomization.com at http://www.randomization.com Basic descriptive statistics will be used to characterize the participants and compare the two groups at baseline. Paired t-test will be used to estimate the efficacy of each intervention. Effects size of each interventions and its ratio will be calculated. Group-specific change score will be calculated to explore the impact of prognostic variables (age, gender, number of comorbities, baseline gait speed) on change of an outcome (with or without poles).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 65 years old or more
  • undergoing rehabilitation program or living a residence facility
  • medically stable or in their usually state of health.

Exclusion criteria

  • severe cognitive impairments (short mini mental score less than 14/18)47
  • unable to ambulate a minimum of 15 meters with or without aids
  • without mobility restrictions as represented by a gait speed greater than 1.2 m/s
  • moderate to severe limitations of upper extremity represented by a shoulder flexion range of motion (ROM) less than 90 degrees and extension less than 20 degrees; elbow flexion ROM less than 90 degrees; and with a poor grip judged by the ability to release a can of 5 cm diameter
  • pathological or musculoskeletal conditions of the upper extremity
  • individuals unable to attend a minimum of eight weeks of intervention.

Treatment and study plan

nordic walking

Other

Walking training with and without poles will be twice a week. The sessions last 20 minutes each and consist of walking, stretching and mobility exercises. This will last 8 weeks in a total of 16 sessions. A therapist will closely monitor your exercises and modify them according to your needs and comfort

Other names: PoleStriding, Exerstriding

Primary outcomes

  1. 6 Minute Walk Test 5 Meter Walk Test Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks follow-up, 8 weeks follow-up

Secondary outcomes

  1. Berg Balance Scale; CHAMPS; Lower Extremity Functional Scale; Visual Analogue Scale of Pain; EuroQol 5D.

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks follow-up, 8 weeks follow-up

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

McGill University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Nordic Walking for Frail Elderly: a Randomized Pilot Trial

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Dec 9, 2008
Registry last updated
Sep 2, 2009

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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