Cardiac rehabilitation to reduce fall risk in elderly patients

Risk of Falling Assessment in a Population of Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases Undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation

Not applicable Interventional IRCCS San Raffaele Roma · NCT06908759

This study tests if a cardiac rehabilitation program can help elderly patients who have had heart problems reduce their risk of falling and stay independent in their daily activities.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorIRCCS San Raffaele Roma Academic / other
Locations1 site (Rome, RM)
Trial IDNCT06908759 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study focuses on the implementation of cardiac rehabilitation for elderly patients who have recently experienced acute cardiovascular events. The rehabilitation program consists of three phases: in-hospital rehabilitation, early outpatient rehabilitation, and long-term maintenance. The goal is to improve functional capacity and maintain independence in daily activities while addressing the increased risk of falls due to factors like muscle weakness and orthostatic hypotension. The study evaluates the effectiveness of exercise training, with or without medication, in mitigating these risks.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are elderly individuals aged 65 or older who have recently suffered an acute cardiac event.

Not a fit: Patients with persistent clinical instability or severe cardiovascular symptoms 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 quality of life for elderly patients recovering from cardiac events.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with cardiac rehabilitation in similar populations, indicating that this approach is supported by existing evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

\- Age \> 65 years

Recent acute cardiac event, including:

1. Cardiac surgery (CABG, aortic and/or mitral valve replacement, mitral valvuloplasty, or combined CABG + valve surgery)
2. Recent myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous revascularization
3. Episode of acute heart failure

Exclusion Criteria:

Persistent clinical instability, defined as:

* Marked hypotension (BP ≤ 95/60 mmHg) or hypertension (BP ≥ 160/100 mmHg)
* Bradycardia (HR \< 50 bpm) or tachycardia (HR \> 115 bpm)
* Resting dyspnea
* Signs and symptoms of infection

Where this trial is running

Rome, RM

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.
Conditions Risk of FallingElderlyCardiovascular Diseasesrisk of fallcardiac rehabilitation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.