People With Osteoporosis Can Walk-BEST to Reduce Fall and Fracture Risk

The Walk-BEST™ technology assisted gait optimization program has demonstrated effectiveness in improving gait pattern and walking capacity without adverse events in people living with Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis. What is not known and the topic of this pilot and feasibility study is whether older people with osteoporosis will engage successfully with this program, since they do not have a diagnosis of a disabling condition affecting gait and may be unaware that their cautious method of walking exposes them to higher risk of falls and fractures rather than protecting them.

A randomized pilot and feasibility study (PAFS) will be conducted with groups randomized in a 1:1 ratio. Participants will be randomly assigned to either 1) immediate receipt of the Walk-BEST™ program; or 2) wait-list control and delayed receipt of Walk-BEST™ program 3 months post-randomization.

Participants will receive a copy of a proprietary workbook with instructions on simple exercises targeting strength, flexibility, and balance to facilitate a better walking pattern, as well as both 3-5 remote sessions with an exercise professional to practice walking well and to learn how to use the Heel2ToeTM sensor, and two technology phone calls with a research team member, over the first 4 weeks of the intervention. This personal gait training period will be followed by independent home practice over 2 months, during which participants will be instructed to practice walking with the sensor for a minimum period of 6 min, twice a day and to complete three exercises from their workbook at least twice a week.

There will be three on-site study visits at 3-month intervals: one for initial assessment, and two for reassessment.

Inclusion criteria

• men and women 70 years and older
• able to walk independently with or without a walking aid
• experienced a prior fracture after the age of 40, OR two falls in the past 12 months, OR who have a bone mineral density test (done as part of routine clinical evaluation) with a T-score < -2.5, OR on a Health Canada-approved anti-osteoporosis medication (oral or intravenous bisphosphonate, denosumab, teriparatide, or romozosumab) to reduce fracture risk or on a bisphosphonate drug holiday (planned treatment interruption)

Exclusion criteria

• fracture sustained in the past 12 months
• unable to walk unsupervised because of active medical or neurocognitive reasons
• unable to provide informed consent, or cannot communicate in English or French