Training to prevent falls after knee surgery
Official title: Preoperative perturbation training to prevent falls after total knee arthroplasty
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10911142 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a special training program to help older adults who have had knee surgery learn how to stay steady and avoid falls while they recover.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $561,909 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075098-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911142 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are scheduled to undergo total knee arthroplasty and are at risk of falls due to osteoarthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing knee surgery or who do not have symptomatic osteoarthritis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a specialized training program designed to help older adults who are undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) avoid falls during their recovery. The program focuses on teaching patients how to better manage their body movements in response to unexpected disturbances, such as trips. By improving specific motor skills through targeted exercises, the goal is to enhance stability and reduce the risk of falls, which are common after knee surgery. Participants will engage in task-specific perturbation training aimed at improving their recovery steps after a trip, ultimately aiming to lower fall rates in this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of falls among older adults recovering from knee surgery, leading to improved safety and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using perturbation training to reduce fall rates in older adults, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Foucher, Kharma Charisse — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Foucher, Kharma Charisse
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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.