Personalized lab and home balance training to reduce fall risk in older adults
Assessment of Fall Risks and Subject-specific Training for Fall Reduction
NA · University of Maryland, Baltimore · NCT06396650
This program will try individualized lab-based perturbation training plus home exercises to reduce falls in older adults who have fallen before or walk with instability.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Maryland, Baltimore (other) |
| Drugs / interventions | cart |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT06396650 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Forty adults aged 60–85 with a history of one or more falls or gait instability will be enrolled and tested for fall mechanisms using moving footplates. Investigators will design a subject-specific training plan that includes one supervised session per week in the lab using a sliding stepping perturbation system and three home exercise sessions per week for six weeks. Participants will undergo biomechanical and clinical evaluations before and after the 6-week program and again two months later, and a harness will be used during in-lab perturbation sessions for safety. Common exclusions include severe lower-limb pain, recent myocardial infarction, cognitive impairment (MMSE <25), enrollment in other lower-limb rehab, or body weight over 280 lbs.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Older adults aged 60–85 who can walk independently, have had one or more falls in the past 12 months or report walking instability, and have a family member at home for safety are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with severe lower-limb pain, recent myocardial infarction, significant cognitive impairment, body weight over 280 lbs, or who are already in another lower-limb rehabilitation program are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower the frequency or severity of falls and help participants maintain mobility and independence.
How similar studies have performed: Previous perturbation-based and balance training programs have shown promise in reducing fall risk in older adults, so this approach builds on existing evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 60 to 85 years old 2. Have a family member at home for safety. 3. There is no severe injury or pain at the lower extremities. 4. With one or more falls in the past 12 months or walk with instability 5. Individuals who are taking medication, there should be no planned medication changes for the study duration of 3.5 months. 6. All the participants should be capable of independent walking. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Enrollment in another lower limb rehabilitation program; 2. severe pain in the lower limbs; 3. previous myocardial infarction 4. Body weight over 280 lbs 5. Cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score less than 25)
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Li-Qun Zhang — University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Zongpan Li
- Email: zongpan.li@som.umaryland.edu
- Phone: 410-706-3242
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Fall Risk, Fall prevention, Perturbation training, Multidirectional perturbation, Home-based training, Subject-specific training strategy