Task-specific balance training to reduce falls in older adults
Aging and Task-Specific Training to Reduce Falls
This study will test whether a new task-specific balance training helps community-dwelling older adults at risk of falling avoid slips, trips, and reduce real-life falls.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase1; Phase2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 315 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Illinois at Chicago Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Trial ID | NCT07094659 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, controlled study will enroll community-ambulatory adults aged 60–90 who are at increased risk for falls and compare three training programs: task-specific balance training, treadmill perturbation training, and conventional balance training. Participants complete a baseline balance assessment, are randomized to one of the three interventions, receive supervised training, and are followed for fall outcomes up to 18 months after training. The trial measures both laboratory balance control (reactive and volitional) and real-world fall incidence to determine immediate and long-term effects. The goal is to find a feasible, clinic-ready training approach that reduces environmental falls caused by slips and trips.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Community-dwelling adults aged 60–90 who can walk independently for at least 10 meters and who have had at least one fall in the past year or are identified as high fall-risk by the study's prediction model.
Not a fit: People with recent major surgery (within 6 months), recent hospitalization (within 3 months), uncontrolled neurological/cardiopulmonary/musculoskeletal disease or active cancer, those taking sedative medications, non-English speakers, or those unable to walk independently are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce real-life falls and related injuries by improving balance control in at-risk older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous overground perturbation training has reduced real-world falls and treadmill perturbation training has shown some benefits, and this task-specific approach is novel but builds on those prior findings.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 60 to 90 years of age to include community dwelling older adults * Understand English to ensure ability to safely complete study protocols * Able to walk independently for 1 block and 10 meters without an assistive device to ensure ability to complete exercises and reactive balance assessments * 'At-risk' adults: Participants who report experience of at least 1 fall in the past 12 months or participants who are categorized as at high fall- risk using our fall risk prediction model which can predict the risk of both slip and trip related falls. Exclusion Criteria: * Major surgery less than 6 months ago to avoid complications due to training * Hospitalization less than 3 months ago to avoid complications due to training * Taking any sedative drugs to avoid interference with training * Acute or uncontrolled neurological or cardiopulmonary or musculoskeletal or cancer diagnosis to avoid complications due to training * Have intact visual and auditory ability with or without corrective aids to avoid confounding effects on balance * Severe osteoporosis measured by a score of less than negative two point five on heel bone density scan to avoid complications due to training * Loss of sensation on monofilament test to avoid confounding effects on outcome assessments * Cognitive impairment indicated by a score of less than 25 out of 30 on the mini mental state exam to ensure ability to follow instructions for safety * Shortness of breath or uncontrolled pain higher than a three out of ten or inability to achieve age specified minimal distance on the 6 minute walk test for endurance to avoid complications due to training
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Tanvi Bhatt, PT, PhD
- Email: tbhatt6@uic.edu
- Phone: 312-355-4443
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.