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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02836587

The Influence of Balance Training on Postural Control in Elderly

Fall related injuries are major health problem which effect especially elderly population. After experiencing a fall, most of the elderly are unable to resume their previous mobility and the fear of future falls affects their daily life. Falls in elderly population are often related to balance or gait problems. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of balance training on postural and motor control of healthy elderly participants. The study is designed as a parallel interventional study with experimental and control group (allocation ratio 1:1). Participants' general health, balance abilities, fear of falling and gait stability and variability will be assessed on the baseline measurement, right after and 2 months after the completion of the training programme. Experimental group will undergo training focused on development of balance abilities and strength twice a week (60 minutes in length each) for 8 weeks. Participants will receive individualized exercises which will be focused on the main 4 types - stance exercises, gait and transition exercises and strength exercises especially focused on muscle strength of lower extremities.

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Key information

Conditions

Accidental Falls

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University Olomouc

Olomouc, 77111, Czechia

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • age 60+
  • ability to stand and walk without aid or support
  • participation in the institutional program "Falls risk and balance assessment" with successful completion of one year of observation for falls

Exclusion criteria

  • neuromuscular or orthopaedic impairments that severely limit mobility and balance
  • surgery or injury on the musculoskeletal system less than 2 years before baseline measurement
  • any acute illness

Treatment and study plan

Balance training

Behavioral

The interventional program will last 8 weeks with the intensity of two 60-minutes lectures a week. Training sessions will be delivered by a physiotherapist to small groups of patients (3-5). Participants will receive individualized exercises which will be focused on main 4 types - stance exercises, gait and transition exercises and strength exercises especially focused on muscle strength of the lower extremities. The difficulty level will be increased progressively after participant's ability to complete each exercise independently (e.g. eyes closed, exercises on balance equipment - wobble board, foam etc., addition of a secondary cognitive task). The training session will consist of a ten-minute warm-up followed by five-minute stretching, 30 minutes of balance training and 15 minutes of stretching and relaxation.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline Berg balance scale score after completing intervention

    Time frame: 2 months

  2. Change from baseline mean velocity of centre of pressure during quiet stance after completing intervention

    Time frame: 2 months

  3. Change from baseline stride time variability after completing intervention

    Time frame: 2 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline Falls efficacy scale - International score after completing intervention

    Time frame: 2 months

  2. Change from baseline gait velocity after completing intervention

    Time frame: 2 months

  3. Change from baseline short-term Lyapunov exponents after completing intervention

    Time frame: 2 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Palacky University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Jul 19, 2016
Registry last updated
Sep 20, 2017

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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