Teaching fall prevention skills to people with Alzheimer's disease
Motor learning of fall resistant skills from laboratory-induced falling among people with Alzheimer's disease
This study is looking to see if people with Alzheimer's can learn how to prevent falls by practicing on a treadmill that simulates slips and trips, helping them build skills that they can remember and use in everyday life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10652621 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates whether individuals with Alzheimer's disease can learn skills to prevent falls through a specialized training program. Participants will engage in perturbation training on a treadmill, where they will experience controlled slips and trips to help them adapt and learn fall-resistant motor skills. The study will assess not only the immediate learning of these skills but also their retention over six months and the ability to apply them in real-life situations. The research employs a randomized controlled design, comparing a training group with a placebo group to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients with severe Alzheimer's disease or those unable to participate in physical activities may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of falls among patients with Alzheimer's disease, enhancing their safety and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using perturbation training to improve motor skills and reduce falls in various populations, suggesting potential success in this novel application for Alzheimer's patients.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia State University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Feng — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Yang, Feng
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.