Virtual Tai Chi exercise to prevent falls in older adults
A Remotely Delivered Tai Ji Quan Intervention to Reduce Incidence of Falls in High Risk Community-Dwelling Older Adults
This study tests whether virtual Tai Chi or another type of virtual exercise can help older adults who are at risk of falling stay safe and prevent falls.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 620 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Oregon Research Institute Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Springfield, Oregon) |
| Trial ID | NCT05822466 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial examines the effectiveness of two different virtual exercise programs aimed at reducing falls among older adults living in the community. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a virtual Tai Chi intervention or a virtual multimodal exercise intervention. The study focuses on older adults aged 65 to 90 who are at high risk of falling, specifically those who have experienced falls in the past year or have mobility issues as indicated by the Timed Up & Go test. The goal is to determine which intervention is more effective in preventing falls.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are older adults aged 65 to 90 who have experienced falls or have mobility challenges.
Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairment, those unable to ambulate independently, or those who have recently participated in similar exercise programs may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the incidence of falls among older adults, improving their safety and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with Tai Chi and similar exercise interventions in reducing falls, suggesting this approach is promising.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age between 65 and 90 years and * having had 1 or more falls in the preceding 12 months or having a score ≥12 seconds on the Timed Up\&Go (TUG) test. Exclusion Criteria: * showing a diagnosis of dementia or significant cognitive impairment, as indicated by a score of \<24 on the Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE, range: 0-30); * being unable to ambulate independently for household distances; (c) having no medical clearance; * having participated in any regular and structured tai ji quan-based or multicomponent exercise programs (≥2 times weekly) in the preceding 6 months; * having any physical condition that would preclude participation in moderate-intensity exercise; and * being unwilling to commit to the duration of the intervention or accept group assignment.
Where this trial is running
Springfield, Oregon
- Oregon Research Institute — Springfield, Oregon, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Fuzhong Li, Ph.D.
- Email: fuzhongl@ori.org
- Phone: 541-484-2123
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.