Balance training to reduce falls in elderly patients with COPD

Balance Training: Its Effect on Pulmonary Rehabilitation of Elderly Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

NA · Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA · NCT05972239

This study is testing if adding balance training to regular rehab can help prevent falls in elderly people over 80 with COPD.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages80 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorIstituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA (other)
Locations1 site (Tradate, Varese)
Trial IDNCT05972239 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to determine if adding a balance training program to standard pulmonary rehabilitation can lower the risk of falls in patients over 80 years old with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard rehabilitation or an intervention group that includes balance training. The study will assess various outcomes, including balance performance, muscle strength, gait speed, and quality of life before and after the rehabilitation program. A total of 50 subjects will be enrolled to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 80 and older diagnosed with COPD who can participate in the study procedures.

Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairment or other medical conditions that prevent them from safely participating in exercise may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the risk of falls and improve the overall quality of life for elderly patients with COPD.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that balance training can effectively improve outcomes in elderly populations, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 80 years old,
* Diagnosis of COPD according to GOLD Guidelines (Tiffenau Index \<70%) under optimized medical treatment,
* Able to perform and complete study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden score ≥3,
* Mini-Mental State Examination \<22,
* Acute or chronic impairment and/or medical diseases that are likely to preclude exercise testing and PR.
* Brain lesions,
* Inner ear disease
* Visual deficit,
* Lower limb surgery in the previous 6 months.

Where this trial is running

Tradate, Varese

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: COPD, Exercise, Rehabilitation, Aged, postural balance

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.