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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05740124

Workplace Fall Prevention Through Slip Recovery Training

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility of applying slip recovery training, a novel balance training exercise intervention, to workers who are at increased risk of slip-induced falls. This will be done via field studies with industrial partners. Note that the slip recovery training is not a device or drug. It is a detailed exercise regimen that aims to improve the the ability to recover balance after slipping.

The main specific aims are are:

* To investigate the feasibility of on-site slip recovery training * To validate field assessments for evaluating slip recovery training efficacy in subsequent research

Participants will complete 3-6 once-weekly sessions of slip recovery training, answer daily text messages indicating any falls they experience while working over the 12 weeks after completing slip recovery training, and a subset of workers will be asked to participate in focus group discussions after the 12 weeks to provide information on the long-term feasibility of slip recovery training. A group of workers at Virginia Tech will also be asked to complete a laboratory session of testing during which they will be exposed to a laboratory-induced slip so that gold-standard measures of slip-induced fall recovery can be used to validate field assessments.

Workers who complete slip recovery training will be compared to another group of workers who complete an alternative balance training that should improve balance but not improve slip recovery that is targeted by slip recovery training.

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Key information

Conditions

Accidental Fall

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Virginia Tech workers in Dining Services, Facilities and Housekeeping, and construction.
  • Veolia field workers in water distribution and water main construction
  • age 18-65 years old
  • willing to complete 3 or 6 training sessions, lab testing session, and daily falls tracking for 12 weeks

Exclusion criteria

  • weigh over 250 pounds
  • answer 'no' to all questions of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire

Treatment and study plan

slip recovery training

Behavioral

Participants practice volitional and reactive stepping responses that mimic those needed when recovering balance after slipping.

alternative balance training

Behavioral

Participants practice standing and walking under varied sensory conditions.

Primary outcomes

  1. evaluation of recruitment methods

    Time frame: 2 years

    number of prospective participants who contact the investigators with interest in participating

  2. evaluation of screening methods

    Time frame: 2 years

    percentage of prospective participants who are deemed a poor fit for the study based upon not passing the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.

  3. worker adherence to slip recovery training

    Time frame: during 3 or 6 weeks of balance training

    average number of slip recovery training sessions completed across all participants assigned to slip recovery training

  4. worker adherence to alternative balance training

    Time frame: during 3 or 6 weeks of balance training

    average number of alternative balance training sessions completed across all participants assigned to alternative balance training

  5. worker retention during 12 weeks of falls tracking

    Time frame: during the12 weeks after completing the training intervention

    average number of weeks participants responded to text messages from investigators regarding slips and falls

  6. lab-induced slip outcome (fall or recovery)

    Time frame: during the laboratory testing session that will take place within one week of completing training intervention

    a binary measure determined based on the force applied to the safety harness worn by all participants when exposed to a laboratory-induced slip

  7. lab-induced slip distance

    Time frame: during the laboratory testing session that will take place within one week of completing training intervention

    the distance the slipping foot slides when exposed to a laboratory-induced slip

  8. lab-induced slip peak slip speed

    Time frame: during the laboratory testing session that will take place within one week of completing training intervention

    the peak speed of the slipping foot during slip when exposed to a laboratory-induced slip

  9. efficacy of field assessments of balance

    Time frame: during the field session one week after completing the training intervention

    Pearson product correlation coefficient between field assessment of slip distance and lab-induced slip distance

Secondary outcomes

  1. field assessment of slip distance

    Time frame: one week after intervention

    the distance the slipping foot slides when exposed to a slip induced in the field

  2. field assessment of slip distance

    Time frame: 12 weeks after intervention

    the distance the slipping foot slides when exposed to a slip induced in the field

  3. field assessment of peak slip speed

    Time frame: one week after intervention

    the maximum slipping speed of the foot during recovery from an induced slip

  4. field assessment of peak slip speed

    Time frame: 12 weeks after intervention

    the maximum slipping speed of the foot during recovery from an induced slip

  5. postural sway during quiet standing

    Time frame: one week after intervention

    mean center of pressure speed

  6. postural sway during quiet standing

    Time frame: 12 weeks after intervention

    mean center of pressure speed

  7. dynamic balance performance

    Time frame: one week after intervention

    maximum number of consecutive backward toe-to-heel steps completed while walking three times along a 3cm-wide, 3m-long beam on the floor without touching the ground

  8. dynamic balance performance

    Time frame: 12 weeks after intervention

    maximum number of consecutive backward toe-to-heel steps completed while walking three times along a 3cm-wide, 3m-long beam on the floor without touching the ground

  9. number of falls while working during 12-week follow up

    Time frame: during the 12 week follow up after intervention

    determined using a daily text message questionnaire

  10. number of near-falls while working during 12-week follow up

    Time frame: during the 12 week follow up after intervention

    determined using a daily text message questionnaire

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 22, 2023
Registry last updated
Jun 27, 2025

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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