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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01607736

Pilot Study of Virtual Gait Training in Older Adults

Older individuals suffer from falls and fear of falling. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a novel virtual gait training on walking performance and fear of falling in older adults, and to evaluate the feasibility of the virtual gait training program. The investigators hypothesize that virtual gait training in older adults over a three week period will both improve gait parameters as measured by a GAITRite® electronic walkway system, and reduce their fear of falling as measured by the Falls Efficacy Scale-International version.

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Key information

Conditions

Frail Elderly

Age range

65 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Mobility Center

Basel, Canton of Basel-City, 4031, Switzerland

About this study

The objectives of this study are to determine the effectiveness of virtual gait training on walking performance and fear of falling in older adults and to evaluate the feasibility of the virtual gait training. This prospective interventional study plans to include twelve residents of senior assisted living facilities in Basel, Switzerland, aged 65 years or older with no severe physical or cognitive disabilities, and who had fallen at least once in the preceding 12 months. Each participant will complete 14 12-minute virtual gait training sessions within a three-week period. Gait parameters will be quantified with the GAITRite® electronic walkway system, and fear of falling evaluated with the Falls Efficacy Scale-International version. The investigators hypothesize that 14 virtual gait training sessions in older adults over a three week period will both improve gait parameters as measured by a GAITRite® electronic walkway system, and reduce their fear of falling as measured by the Falls Efficacy Scale-International version.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • older than 65 years of age
  • fall within last 6 months

Exclusion criteria

  • cognitive deficits
  • physical disability

Treatment and study plan

Virtual Gait Training

Behavioral

The intervention consisted of 12-minute virtual gait training sessions once daily for a total of 14 weekdays within a three-week period. The intervention video showed walking legs of a 30-year-old woman for female and a 46-year-old man for male participants. The video screen was adjusted in height such that it corresponded to the legs of the standing participant, with a mirror placed above it. Participants began the training session with a circa one minute of concentration on the upcoming intervention. Afterwards, the video was started. Participants were instructed to stand (when necessary, to sit) and observe the video and mirror, and to imagine themselves walking. Training sessions were supervised by a physical therapist who gave additional instructions and comments regarding participants' visual/kinesthetic imagination of themselves performing the observed movement. Verbal and physical reactions during training sessions were documented in written form and sometimes videotaped.

Primary outcomes

  1. gait speed

    Time frame: Change from baseline in gait speed at 3 weeks

    gait speed measure with GAITRite® electronic walkway system

Secondary outcomes

  1. fear of falling

    Time frame: change from baseline at end of week 3

    total score on Falls Efficacy Scale-International version

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Pilot Study of Effects of Virtual Gait Training on Walking Stability in Older Adults

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2011
First posted
May 30, 2012
Registry last updated
May 30, 2012

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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