Preventing falls in older adults with cognitive frailty

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This trial aims to determine if a home-based exercise program, combined with behavioral change techniques, can effectively reduce falls in community-dwelling older adults aged 70 to 89 who have cognitive frailty and a history of falls. The intervention involves the Otago Exercise Program, which focuses on balance and strength training, alongside health coaching to enhance adherence. The study will be conducted over 12 months and will compare the exercise program to a control group receiving health education. The goal is to provide a rigorous evaluation of falls prevention strategies for this vulnerable population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

We will include individuals who meet the following criteria: 1) aged between 65 and 89 years; 2) live in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia; 3) are community-dwelling (i.e., not residing in a nursing home or extended care unit); 4) experienced a non-syncopal fall in the prior 12 months; 5) scored ≤ 9/12 on the SPPB; 6) have subjective cognitive impairment based on interview; 7) scored 18-25/30 on the MoCA \[62,64\]; 8) are able to walk with or without a gait aid; 9) scored ≥ 6/8 on Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) \[65\]; 10) are able to safely engage in exercise as indicated by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) \[66\]; and 11) are able to understand, speak, and read English with sufficient proficiency to complete the assessments.

\*The age maximum of 89 was set due to the increased risk of significant adverse health outcomes cognitively frail older adults face. As this population has an increased risk of falls, functional disability with loss of independence, hospitalization, and death, setting an age maximum aims to increase the likelihood that participants will be able to complete the 18-month study without interruptions due to health complications. This age limit has been reviewed and approved by CIHR.

Exclusion Criteria:

We will exclude individuals who: 1) have been diagnosed with dementia, a neurodegenerative disease, or stroke; 2) report engaging in strength and balance training exercises ≥ 2 times per week in the prior 3 months; 3) have severe depression based on a score of ≥ 11/15 on the GDS.

Where it's running

• Centre for Aging SMART at VCH, University of BC
  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD — University of British Columbia
• Study coordinator: Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD
• Email: teresa.ambrose@ubc.ca
• Phone: 6046178047

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• VIVI-OLIVE: Multicomponent Exercise and Olive Oil for Older Adults at High Risk of Falls

  In adults 75 and older at high risk of falling, this study tests whether a 24-month plan of personalized exercise, Mediterranean diet guidance, and 60 mL of extra virgin olive oil daily can improve walking speed and reduce fall risk.

  Recruiting Fundacion Miguel Servet · Pamplona, Navarre · NCT07829484

• Effects of MitoQ on mobility and cognitive performance in frail older adults

  This study is testing if a supplement called MitoQ can help frail older adults aged 65-80 improve their walking and thinking abilities compared to a placebo.

  Recruiting Phase 2 UConn Health · Farmington, Connecticut · NCT06027554

• Postprandial drop and frailty in older adults having planned noncardiac surgery

  This study tests whether a drop in blood pressure after meals and frailty predict low blood pressure after anesthesia starts in adults 65 and older undergoing planned noncardiac surgery.

  Recruiting Konya City Hospital · Konya, Konya · NCT07914920

• Frailty Training for Emergency Nurses in Morocco

  This trial tests whether a four-module training program helps Moroccan emergency nurses recognize and care for frail older adults in the ER.

  Recruiting Cadi Ayyad University · Safi, SAFI · NCT07892612

• One-day exercise test to see how brain and body react in epilepsy, cognitive disorders, Parkinson's, dementia, and related conditions

  A one-day study tests how an acute bout of exercise changes brain function and bodily signals in people with certain neurological conditions compared with healthy individuals.

  Recruiting Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT07883720

• Physical Function and Fall Risk in Older Adults in Lalín's Frailty Prevention Program

  This study will look at how physical function and fall risk change in people 70 and older who participate in a routine frailty and falls prevention program, by comparing assessments before and after the 8–12 week program.

  Recruiting University of Vigo · Lalín, Pontevedra · NCT07848802

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.