Static balance test for high-functioning older adults

Development of a Static Balance Assessment Tool for High-Functioning Older Adults

This will test a longer and more challenging static balance protocol for adults 65 and older who are very fit to see if it detects subtle balance problems and gives consistent results between visits and video reviewers.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Ages: 60 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Kaohsiung Municipal United Hospital (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung City)
• Trial ID: NCT07300592 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-center study modifies standard balance measures to reduce ceiling effects in high-functioning older adults by extending the open-eyes single-leg stance to 60 seconds and adding a closed-eyes condition. It also adapts the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) for older adults, testing double-leg, tandem, and single-leg stances on firm and foam surfaces with eyes closed. Fifty community-dwelling participants will complete body composition measures and two identical testing sessions 5–7 days apart, with both on-site scoring and independent video-based scoring. The primary goal is to determine test–retest reliability and inter-rater agreement to create a more sensitive static balance tool for this population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older who are physically high-functioning (e.g., perfect SPPB score and able to hold an open-eyes single-leg stance ≥10 seconds) and cognitively intact are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with diagnosed neurological, severe visual or vestibular impairments, limiting lower-limb musculoskeletal conditions, recent recurrent falls, or who cannot meet the high-functioning entry criteria are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the tool could better identify subtle balance deficits in fit older adults and help target fall-prevention and healthy-aging interventions.

How similar studies have performed: Components like extended single-leg stance and BESS have been used in other groups, but adapting BESS and extended timed single-leg tests specifically for high-functioning older adults is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 60 to 85 years
* Able to walk independently without assistive devices
* No self-reported balance disorders or history of recurrent falls in the past 6 months
* Cognitively intact (Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥ 24)
* Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed neurological disorders affecting balance (e.g., Parkinson's disease, stroke with residual deficits)
* Diagnosed neurological disorders affecting balance (e.g., Parkinson's disease, stroke with residual deficits)
* Severe visual or vestibular impairment uncorrected by aids
* Lower limb musculoskeletal disorders that limit mobility
* Current participation in other interventional clinical trials
* Unstable cardiovascular conditions (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, recent myocardial infarction)
* Severe visual or vestibular impairment uncorrected by aids
* Lower limb musculoskeletal disorders that limit mobility
* Current participation in other interventional clinical trials
* Unstable cardiovascular conditions (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, recent myocardial infarction)

Where this trial is running

Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung City

• Kaohsiung Municipal United Hospital — Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jia-Ling Hong Physiotherapist

Conditions: Balance Assessment, Postural Balance, Older Adults, Balance, Static balance assessment