AzTrials
AzTrials

Fall Risk FactorsNCT01906034

Effects of a Fall Preventive Exercise Program on Intrinsic Fall Risk Factors in Healthy Older Adults.

A study testing Exercise with supervision and Home-based without supervision in people with Fall Risk Factors and Fall Prevention, run by University of Potsdam at 1 site in Germany.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Background With increasing age neuromuscular deficits (e.g., sarcopenia) may result in impaired physical performance and an increased risk for falls. Prominent intrinsic fall-risk factors are age-related decreases in balance and strength / power performance as well as cognitive decline. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 65 to 80 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Fall Risk Factors, Fall Prevention
What is being tested?
Exercise with supervision and Home-based without supervision
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
66 participants
Where
1 siteGermany
Study dates
Sep 2013to Nov 2014
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 65 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 65-80 years old
  • must be able to accomplish the tests and the training
  • must be able to walk independently

Who cannot join

  • neurological diseases: Alzheimer´s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson etc.
  • cardiovascular diseases: coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias etc.
  • artificial knee- hip-joint in the last six months
  • regular participation in strength and/or balance training programs
  • acute injuries impairing the tests
  • disturbances of balance

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Germany1 site
  • University of Potsdam, Department of Training and Movement Sciences

    Potsdam, 14469

Other trials in Germany

About this study

Background With increasing age neuromuscular deficits (e.g., sarcopenia) may result in impaired physical performance and an increased risk for falls. Prominent intrinsic fall-risk factors are age-related decreases in balance and strength / power performance as well as cognitive decline. Additional studies are needed to develop specifically tailored exercise programs for older adults that can easily be implemented into clinical practice. Thus, the objective of the present trial is to assess the effects of a fall prevention program that was developed by an interdisciplinary expert panel on measures of balance, strength / power, body composition, cognition, psychosocial well-being, and falls self-efficacy in healthy older adults. Additionally, the time-related effects of detraining are tested.

Methods/Design Healthy old people (N = 66) between the age of 65 to 80 years will participate in this trial. The testing protocol comprises tests for the assessment of static / dynamic steady-state balance (i.e., Sharpened Romberg Test, instrumented gait analysis), proactive balance (i.e., Functional Reach Test; Timed Up and Go Test), reactive balance (i.e., perturbation test during bipedal stance; Push and Release Test), strength (i.e., hand grip strength test; Chair Stand Test), and power (i.e., Stair Climb Power Test). Further, body composition will be analysed using a bioelectrical impedance analysis system. In addition, questionnaires for the assessment of psychosocial (i.e., World Health Organisation Quality of Life Assessment-Bref), cognitive (i.e., Mini Mental State Examination), and fall risk determinants (i.e., Fall Efficacy Scale - International) will be included in the study protocol. Participants will be randomized into two intervention groups or the control / waiting group. After baseline measures, participants in the intervention groups will conduct a 12-week balance and strength / power exercise intervention 3 times per week, with each training session lasting 30 min (without warm-up and cool-down). One intervention group will complete a supervised training program (2x supervised training per week / 1x home training per week), while the other intervention group will complete a training after the same protocol that is home-based (3x home training per week) and controlled by phone calls every two weeks. Post-tests will be conducted right after the intervention period. Additionally, detraining effects will be measured 12 weeks after program cessation. The control group / waiting group will not participate in any specific intervention during the experimental period, but will receive the extensive supervised program after the experimental period.

Discussion It is expected that particularly the supervised combination of balance and strength / power training will improve performance in variables of balance, strength / power, body composition, cognitive function, psychosocial well-being, and falls self-efficacy of older adults. In addition, information regarding fall risk assessment, detraining effects, and supervision of training will be provided. Further, training-induced health-relevant changes, such as improved performance in activities of daily living, cognitive function, and quality of life, as well as a reduced risk for falls may help to lower costs in the health care system. Finally, practitioners, therapists, and instructors will be provided with a scientifically evaluated, feasible, safe, and easy-to-administer exercise program for fall prevention.

Being tested
Exercise with supervision, Home-based without supervision

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Exercise with supervisionBehavioural

  • Home-based without supervisionBehavioural

Study groups in NCT01906034
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Exercise with supervisionExperimentalThe expert panel selected balance and strength / power exercises which can be performed with one's own bodyweight or with the help of small, low-cost exercise equipment (i.e., small weights, resistance bands, unstable surfaces). In this study, intensity during training will be regulated using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale (i.e., 6-20 points, maximal exertion at 20 points). According to the individual fitness level, exercises should be performed with a perceived exertion between 12 and 16 points (somewhat hard - hard) during balance and strength / power training. Exercise intensity will be progressed individually using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and varying the balance and strength / power exercises in order to sufficiently stimulate the neuromuscular system. Strength / power exercises will be progressed from single to multiple joint, isometric to dynamic muscle contraction, short to long lever arm and slow to fast exercises.
Receives: Behavioral: Exercise with supervision
Home-based without supervisionExperimentalThe expert panel selected balance and strength / power exercises which can be performed with one's own bodyweight or with the help of small, low-cost exercise equipment (i.e., small weights, resistance bands, unstable surfaces). In this study, intensity during training will be regulated using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale (i.e., 6-20 points, maximal exertion at 20 points). According to the individual fitness level, exercises should be performed with a perceived exertion between 12 and 16 points (somewhat hard - hard) during balance and strength / power training. Exercise intensity will be progressed individually using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and varying the balance and strength / power exercises in order to sufficiently stimulate the neuromuscular system. Strength / power exercises will be progressed from single to multiple joint, isometric to dynamic muscle contraction, short to long lever arm and slow to fast exercises.
Receives: Behavioral: Home-based without supervision
control groupNo interventionThe control group is a traditional waiting group and will receive a supervised training program after the completion of this study

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Balance Performance, Strength / Power Performance

    Measured: pre, post (12 weeks) and follow-up (24 weeks)

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. cognitive status, psychosocial health, falls efficacy

    Measured: pre, post (12 weeks) and follow-up (24 weeks)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted23 Jul 2013 (estimated)
  2. Study startSep 2013
  3. Primary completionNov 2014
  4. Study completionNov 2014

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
66 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01906034
Sponsor's protocol ID
BFU-2.104
Status last verified
Mar 2017
First submitted
18 Jul 2013
Last updated
21 Mar 2017
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Granacher U, Muehlbauer T, Gruber M. A qualitative review of balance and strength performance in healthy older adults: impact for testing and training. J Aging Res. 2012;2012:708905. doi: 10.1155/2012/708905. Epub 2012 Jan 23.

    PubMed 22315687
  • Granacher U, Muehlbauer T, Zahner L, Gollhofer A, Kressig RW. Comparison of traditional and recent approaches in the promotion of balance and strength in older adults. Sports Med. 2011 May 1;41(5):377-400. doi: 10.2165/11539920-000000000-00000.

    PubMed 21510715
  • Granacher U, Gruber M, Gollhofer A. Resistance training and neuromuscular performance in seniors. Int J Sports Med. 2009 Sep;30(9):652-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1224178. Epub 2009 Jun 30.

    PubMed 19569007
  • Granacher U, Gollhofer A, Strass D. Training induced adaptations in characteristics of postural reflexes in elderly men. Gait Posture. 2006 Dec;24(4):459-66. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2005.12.007. Epub 2006 Feb 2.

    PubMed 16472525
  • Granacher U, Gollhofer A, Hortobagyi T, Kressig RW, Muehlbauer T. The importance of trunk muscle strength for balance, functional performance, and fall prevention in seniors: a systematic review. Sports Med. 2013 Jul;43(7):627-41. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0041-1.

    PubMed 23568373
  • Beijersbergen CM, Granacher U, Vandervoort AA, DeVita P, Hortobagyi T. The biomechanical mechanism of how strength and power training improves walking speed in old adults remains unknown. Ageing Res Rev. 2013 Mar;12(2):618-27. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2013.03.001. Epub 2013 Mar 15.

    PubMed 23501431
  • Granacher U, Lacroix A, Muehlbauer T, Roettger K, Gollhofer A. Effects of core instability strength training on trunk muscle strength, spinal mobility, dynamic balance and functional mobility in older adults. Gerontology. 2013;59(2):105-13. doi: 10.1159/000343152. Epub 2012 Oct 24.

    PubMed 23108436
  • Muehlbauer T, Besemer C, Wehrle A, Gollhofer A, Granacher U. Relationship between strength, power and balance performance in seniors. Gerontology. 2012;58(6):504-12. doi: 10.1159/000341614. Epub 2012 Aug 24.

    PubMed 22922168
  • Muehlbauer T, Roth R, Bopp M, Granacher U. An exercise sequence for progression in balance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Feb;26(2):568-74. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318225f3c4.

    PubMed 22067238
  • Granacher U, Bridenbaugh SA, Muehlbauer T, Wehrle A, Kressig RW. Age-related effects on postural control under multi-task conditions. Gerontology. 2011;57(3):247-55. doi: 10.1159/000322196. Epub 2010 Oct 27.

    PubMed 20980734
  • Granacher U, Muehlbauer T, Bridenbaugh S, Bleiker E, Wehrle A, Kressig RW. Balance training and multi-task performance in seniors. Int J Sports Med. 2010 May;31(5):353-8. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1248322. Epub 2010 Feb 23.

    PubMed 20180173
  • Granacher U, Gruber M, Gollhofer A. Force production capacity and functional reflex activity in young and elderly men. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2010 Oct-Dec;22(5-6):374-82. doi: 10.1007/BF03337733. Epub 2009 Nov 27.

    PubMed 19966537
  • Lacroix A, Kressig RW, Muehlbauer T, Gschwind YJ, Pfenninger B, Bruegger O, Granacher U. Effects of a Supervised versus an Unsupervised Combined Balance and Strength Training Program on Balance and Muscle Power in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Gerontology. 2016;62(3):275-88. doi: 10.1159/000442087. Epub 2015 Dec 9.

    PubMed 26645282
  • Gschwind YJ, Kressig RW, Lacroix A, Muehlbauer T, Pfenninger B, Granacher U. A best practice fall prevention exercise program to improve balance, strength / power, and psychosocial health in older adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatr. 2013 Oct 9;13:105. doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-13-105.

    PubMed 24106864

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Exercise with supervision and Home-based without supervision in people with Fall Risk Factors and Fall Prevention, run by University of Potsdam at 1 site in Germany.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Mar 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Balance Performance, Strength / Power Performance (time frame: pre, post (12 weeks) and follow-up (24 weeks)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01906034, which also lists 14 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Mar 2017.

Free account

Keep searching with a free account

You’ve used your 3 free searches for this session. Log in or create a free AzTrials account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in