Musculoskeletal DiseasesReabFallsNCT06175871
New Clinical Rehabilitation Approach for the Management of Falls Risks
A study testing OTAGO exercises in people with Musculoskeletal Diseases and Chronic Disease, run by Université du Québec à Chicoutimi at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
Accidental falls in older adults are one of the world's major pubic health problem, because of their strong association with injuries and mortality rates. In Quebec, falls are responsible for a high rate of hospitalization (more than 1800 emergency department visits every day) and deaths (more than 10,000 in recent… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 to 99 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Musculoskeletal Diseases, Chronic Disease, Fall Patients
- What is being tested?
- OTAGO exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 11 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2024to 1 Dec 2025
- 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 99 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Admitted to La Baie Hospital rehabilitation services; or
- Admitted to the waiting list for geriatric services at La Baie Hospital; or
- Older adults from the communityé
- Age 65 and over
- Able-bodied adult with minimal autonomy to perform fall-prevention tests and exercises.
- Have at least one neuro-musculo-skeletal disorders and risk of falls
Who cannot join
- Cancer
- Red flags (infection, tumor, etc.)
- Severe psychiatric disorders
- Palliative care
- Congenital spinal deformity (spondylolysis, intervertebral fusions)
- Severe systemic syndromes or diseases that may prevent tests and exercises from being performed.
- Stroke - very acute phase (1 week) and this until medial hemodynamic stability.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Development of a New Clinical Rehabilitation Approach for the Management of Elderly People With a Neuromusculoskeletal Disorder and a Risk of Falls: a Partnership Project Between UQAC and the Specialized Geriatric Services of CIUSSS-SLSJ
Accidental falls in older adults are one of the world's major pubic health problem, because of their strong association with injuries and mortality rates. In Quebec, falls are responsible for a high rate of hospitalization (more than 1800 emergency department visits every day) and deaths (more than 10,000 in recent years). Preventing falls is therefore a key mission for health professionals. This research program aims to develop a new clinical approach to the rehabilitation management of the older with a neuro-musculoskeletal disorder and a risk of falling. This program is part of a new partnership project between UQAC and specialized geriatric services at the CIUSSS Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (La Baie site). These geriatric services admit more than 400 new patients per year, representing a large pool of participants for the new program's development. Specifically, this program has 4 phases: 1) Create a clinical profile of patients in rehabilitation care from specialized geriatric services (ex: reasons for consultation, neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, rates and causes of falls, etc.); 2) to diagnose functional deficits of these patients on different dimensions of functional and physical evaluations, using standardized tests and high-tech instruments (ex: platform of force); 3) determine the effectiveness of a new exercise intervention program (OTAGO) for falls prevention; and 4) Measure client and professional team satisfaction as well as long-term impact of this new approach used to prevent falls. The most significant impact of this new program will be to reduce public health expenditure for care of older adults with balance disorder and risk for falls; and therefore, be implanted in other CIUSSS institutions from Quebec.
Read the detailed description
This research program on aging to create Living Lab Sag aims at maintaining older adult's full individual and collective abilities in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (SLSJ) region. The need for innovation and creativity aims at optimizing independence, whether for mobility, the ability to take charge of one's health, to remain at home, to have access to services, and to prevent falls in a frail and aging population. Thus, this program includes expert investigators in the areas of health, engineering and computer science, aging, neuropsychology, geriatrics, and rehabilitation/prevention within a multidisciplinary work approach for durable health for older adults in Saguenay. Living Lab Sag will be implemented based on an enriched research program, approved by the CIUSSS SLSJ (CER# 2019-008) and entitled: Development of a new clinical approach in rehabilitation for the care of older adults with a neuro-musculo-skeletal disorder and a risk of falling: Project in partnership between UQAC and the specialized geriatrics services of the CIUSSS-SLSJ. Canada census reports clearly show the demographic aging of the local population. It is predicted that people 65 years and older will comprise about 24% of the population in 2036, in Canada and Quebec. In parallel with this demographic phenomenon, 50% of Canadians live with at least one chronic disability that is often associated with advanced age, as well as with different neurological, orthopedic and cardiopulmonary degenerative diseases. Some diseases affecting the neuro-musculo-skeletal system will lead to physical disability and to a significant functional limitation in terms of balance, mobility and walking and, consequently, to an increase in the risk of falling. Falls have a significant financial effect on healthcare services. Every year, in Quebec, approximately 1/3 of people aged 65 and over will fall and, sadly, some data suggest that 424,000 people will die, worldwide, because of a fall. The present scenario also shows the importance of developing strategies to reduce the weight of falls on the healthcare system, such as the creation of Living Lab Sag where the older adults will be at the heart of the situation. With team's experience in the area, one strategy among others is the early identification of physical-functional factors leading to a fall, despite the presence of other associated extrinsic factors that are also associated with the fall (i.e., multifactor phenomenon). This identification can be realized through neurophysiological measures from valid and reliable biological signals in rehabilitation, that will help determine the neuromuscular responses associated to the level of physical frailty of the individual and his/her fall risk. However, geriatric services in general don't often have access to high-end screening tools that permit an early detection of balance problems and fall risk. Within an innovative action plan, our research program, in partnership with specialized geriatric services and researchers aims to determine the efficiency of new evaluation and intervention methods for the health of the older adults. Since 2019, this programm integrate new measures using various high-end equipment to capture biological signals enabling to perform research with patients from Hospital and patients from Parkinson Association and community local. The mission of this program is to build a new paradigm for this site while being a reference to evaluate balance/mobility and walking problems, better screen frail older adults who are at risk of falling and direct then to personalized therapy. At this time, this work will develop a longitudinal intervention study using OTAGO (PEO) exercise program. The name "OTAGO" is not an acronym, as "Otago" is a region of New Zealand located southwest of the southern island. PEO is defined by a reeducation program for strength and balance at home (or in a rehabilitation center), that is personalized, and based on conclusive data. The PEO was developed by a geriatrician (Dr. Campbell) and his team of physiotherapists in 1997, after many years of research, to identify the risks of falling and the potential interventions that could reduce these risks. The program exists worldwide but has never been tested in Québec. Although there are different fall prevention programs, conclusive data show the more frequent use of OTAGO because of its efficiency to reduce the risk of death and the incidence rate of falls over a period of one year in an aging population. This program also reduces falls by 25% according to conclusive data, which no other program in Québec and in rural areas has demonstrated until now. Finally, this program can be a cost-effective intervention for the healthcare system by reducing expenses associated to falls in rural areas, and in particular for patients in La Baie Hospital. Already used in Australia and the United States, we have yet to determine its effects in the Saguenay area. The goal is to test and show its efficiency for the fist time in the area by a random clinical trial in La Baie Hospital. This step will make it possible to advance our research program on the effective intervention plan to reduce future public healthcare expenses related to falls. The aim of this study will thus be to evaluate if the PEO, when adapted to La Baie geriatric services, is superior to conventional therapy to improve parameters of walking, balance, muscle activation, postural trunk control, mobility, force, endurance and perception of symptoms related to pain, function, fall risk and, consequently, quality of life (wellbeing), volume of medication and expenses associated to fall. In other step, the purpose is also evaluate the effect of carrying out the OTAGO exercises in an outdoor and nature modality during a feasibility study to see the impact of nature on the functional abilities of older people with neuromusculoskeletal disorders (ex. Parkinson disease).
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Diseases, Chronic Disease, Fall Patients, Aging Problems, Postural Low Back Pain, Parkinson Disease
- Being tested
- OTAGO exercises
- Keywords
- Aging, Rehabilitation, Postural control, Falls, Biomechanics, Technology innovative, Prevention, Mobility
- Medical subject headings
- Musculoskeletal Diseases, Chronic Disease, Low Back Pain, Parkinson Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
OTAGO exercisesOther
Also called plein air et nature exercises
Exercices for improvement postural control and mobility and decrease falls risks
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Otago exercises | Experimental | OTAGO program - based on very specific exercises for balance, force, and muscular endurance as well as on education about the risk of falling. The program is considered as "home care" (exercises to be done at home) but will be done as a group and with supervision, at CIUSSS or from outdoor and nature intervention (recreactional parks). OTAGO session lasts for 30-40 minutes and will be done twice a week at sites with progression. The program is comprised of 5 muscle strengthening exercises and 12 postural balance exercises. Participants will also be invited to walk 2 times per week for 30 minutes (can be divided into shorter periods, for example 3 blocs of 10 minutes) from outdoor sites or recrative parks. According to each person's strength and mobility, exercises will be increased with the use of free weights (for example during squats) and/or by increasing the number of repetitions. Total duration of the program will be 3 months (i.e., a duration adapted to the site). Receives: Other: OTAGO exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Postural control
Measures of center of pressure (COP) from plateform of force during different balance tasks
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Walking
Gait parameters from GaitRite measurement
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Trunk postural control on wobble chair
This test measures trunk postural balance during a sitting balance task on an unstable chair where only lumbar spine movements are allowed to restore balance. Briefly, the base of the chair consists of a pivot at its center and four springs that can be arranged and fixed at a distance varying between 6.0 and 21 cm from the center, allowing the system's level of stability to be varied. The system allows only forward/backward and lateral tilting.
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Machine learning-driven neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) assessment
Adapt and integrate existing machine learning algorithms (e.g., pose detection, body reconstruction) to create an NMS assessment framework using smartphone cameras. Image and video recording will be done with three smartphone cameras, positioned on tripods at different angles to the participants. The initial use of multiple cameras is crucial for gathering multi-dimensional data and will allow us to evaluate the effect of camera angle, and the number of cameras, on the accuracy and reliability of the analyses. Various scales will be placed within the recording space, serving as reference points for future camera calibration.
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Secondary outcomes (6)
Functional mobility test: TUG
To assess mobility. Equipment: A stopwatch. Directions: Patients wear their regular footwear and can use a walking aid, if needed. Begin by having the patient sit back in a standard arm chair and identify a line 3 meters, or 10 feet away, on the floor.
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
30 Second Sit to Stand Test
The 30CST is a measurement that assesses functional lower extremity strength in older adults. It is part of the Fullerton Functional Fitness Test Battery. This test was developed to overcome the floor effect of the 5 or 10 repetition sit to stand test in older adults.
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
maximal isometric hand grip strength
Jamar dynamometer to assess maximal isometric hand grip strength and frailty criteria. 3 trials of maximal contraction up 5 seconds. The best value was retained and corrected by body mass index from Fried classification.
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Walking test in 10 meters
Walking speed executed in 10 meter walking test. 2 trials and the best value in time seconds was retained for analysis. The Fried criteria by 4,75 meters was also used to measure time in seconds from this distance (14 feet) and normalized by heigth and weigth.
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
5 times Sit-To-Stand (FTSTS)
If the 30 second sit to stand test was not applied for some patients, we used also this test which it measures the amount of time it takes for a patient to sit and stand five times in succession with arms folded across their chest. 2 trials were applied in this test and the best time in seconds used for analysis.
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Numbers of falls
Self-reported falls before, during and after the study
Measured: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks, 6 and 12 months after
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Dec 2023
- Study start1 Jul 2024
- Primary completion31 Dec 2024
- Study completion1 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (20)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Musculoskeletal DiseasesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- Clinical pilot trial design
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 11 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Agence de la Sante et des Services Sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rubens da Silva, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Investigators
- Sharlène Côté, MD, Study chair, CIUSSS-SLSJ (La Baie Hospital)Julie Bouchard, PhD, Study director, Université du Québec à ChicoutimiPatrice Tremblay, PT, Study chair, CIUSSS-SLSJ (La Baie Hospital)Rubens da Silva, Principal investigator, Université du Québec à ChicoutimiMarie-Ève Langelier, MD, Study chair, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06175871
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2019-008
- Acronym
- ReabFalls
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Nov 2023
- Last updated
- 12 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Fuzhong L, McAuley E, Fisher KJ, Harmer P, Chaumeton N, Wilson NL. Self-efficacy as a mediator between fear of falling and functional ability in the elderly. J Aging Health. 2002 Nov;14(4):452-66. doi: 10.1177/089826402237178.
PubMed 12391997Poquet N, Lin C. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). J Physiother. 2016 Jan;62(1):52. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2015.07.001. Epub 2015 Aug 21. No abstract available.
PubMed 26303366Barry E, Galvin R, Keogh C, Horgan F, Fahey T. Is the Timed Up and Go test a useful predictor of risk of falls in community dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr. 2014 Feb 1;14:14. doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-14-14.
PubMed 24484314Jiang X, Cooper J, Porter MM, Ready AE. Adoption of Canada's Physical Activity Guide and Handbook for Older Adults: impact on functional fitness and energy expenditure. Can J Appl Physiol. 2004 Aug;29(4):395-410. doi: 10.1139/h04-025.
PubMed 15317981Guideline for the prevention of falls in older persons. American Geriatrics Society, British Geriatrics Society, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Panel on Falls Prevention. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2001 May;49(5):664-72. No abstract available.
PubMed 11380764Woolcott JC, Khan KM, Mitrovic S, Anis AH, Marra CA. The cost of fall related presentations to the ED: a prospective, in-person, patient-tracking analysis of health resource utilization. Osteoporos Int. 2012 May;23(5):1513-9. doi: 10.1007/s00198-011-1764-1. Epub 2011 Sep 3.
PubMed 21892675Oliveira MR, Vieira ER, Gil AWO, Fernandes KBP, Teixeira DC, Amorim CF, da Silva RA. One-legged stance sway of older adults with and without falls. PLoS One. 2018 Sep 17;13(9):e0203887. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203887. eCollection 2018.
PubMed 30222769Vieira ER, Tappen R, Gropper SS, Severi MT, Engstrom G, de Oliveira MR, Barbosa AC, da Silva RA. Changes on Walking During Street Crossing Situations and on Dorsiflexion Strength of Older Caribbean Americans After an Exercise Program: A Pilot Study. J Aging Phys Act. 2017 Oct 1;25(4):525-532. doi: 10.1123/japa.2016-0231. Epub 2017 Sep 14.
PubMed 28095084Fried LP, Tangen CM, Walston J, Newman AB, Hirsch C, Gottdiener J, Seeman T, Tracy R, Kop WJ, Burke G, McBurnie MA; Cardiovascular Health Study Collaborative Research Group. Frailty in older adults: evidence for a phenotype. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001 Mar;56(3):M146-56. doi: 10.1093/gerona/56.3.m146.
PubMed 11253156Campbell AJ, Robertson MC, Gardner MM, Norton RN, Tilyard MW, Buchner DM. Randomised controlled trial of a general practice programme of home based exercise to prevent falls in elderly women. BMJ. 1997 Oct 25;315(7115):1065-9. doi: 10.1136/bmj.315.7115.1065.
PubMed 9366737Shubert TE, Smith ML, Goto L, Jiang L, Ory MG. Otago Exercise Program in the United States: Comparison of 2 Implementation Models. Phys Ther. 2017 Feb 1;97(2):187-197. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20160236.
PubMed 28204770Thomas S, Mackintosh S, Halbert J. Does the 'Otago exercise programme' reduce mortality and falls in older adults?: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age Ageing. 2010 Nov;39(6):681-7. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afq102. Epub 2010 Sep 4.
PubMed 20817938Derouesne C, Poitreneau J, Hugonot L, Kalafat M, Dubois B, Laurent B. [Mini-Mental State Examination:a useful method for the evaluation of the cognitive status of patients by the clinician. Consensual French version]. Presse Med. 1999 Jun 12;28(21):1141-8. French.
PubMed 10399508Jones SE, Kon SS, Canavan JL, Patel MS, Clark AL, Nolan CM, Polkey MI, Man WD. The five-repetition sit-to-stand test as a functional outcome measure in COPD. Thorax. 2013 Nov;68(11):1015-20. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203576. Epub 2013 Jun 19.
PubMed 23783372da Silva RA, Vieira ER, Carvalho CE, Oliveira MR, Amorim CF, Neto EN. Age-related differences on low back pain and postural control during one-leg stance: a case-control study. Eur Spine J. 2016 Apr;25(4):1251-7. doi: 10.1007/s00586-015-4255-9. Epub 2015 Oct 1.
PubMed 26428907
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Development of a New Clinical Rehabilitation Approach for the Management of Elderly People With a Neuromusculoskeletal Disorder and a Risk of Falls: a Partnership Project Between UQAC and the Specialized Geriatric Services of CIUSSS-SLSJ
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06175871
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ReabFalls / 2019-008
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Diseases, Chronic Disease, Fall Patients, Aging Problems, Postural Low Back Pain, Parkinson Disease
- Keywords
- Aging, Rehabilitation, Postural control, Falls, Biomechanics, Technology innovative, Prevention, Mobility
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 11 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Université du Québec à ChicoutimiUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Agence de la Sante et des Services Sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Dec 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Accidental falls in older adults are one of the world's major pubic health problem, because of their strong association with injuries and mortality rates. In Quebec, falls are responsible for a high rate of hospitalization (more than 1800 emergency department visits every day) and deaths (more than 10,000 in recent years). Preventing falls is therefore a key mission for health professionals. This research program aims to develop a new clinical approach to the rehabilitation management of the older with a neuro-musculoskeletal disorder and a risk of falling. This program is part of a new partnership project between UQAC and specialized geriatric services at the CIUSSS Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (La Baie site). These geriatric services admit more than 400 new patients per year, representing a large pool of participants for the new program's development. Specifically, this program has 4 phases: 1) Create a clinical profile of patients in rehabilitation care from specialized geriatric services (ex: reasons for consultation, neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, rates and causes of falls, etc.); 2) to diagnose functional deficits of these patients on different dimensions of functional and physical evaluations, using standardized tests and high-tech instruments (ex: platform of force); 3) determine the effectiveness of a new exercise intervention program (OTAGO) for falls prevention; and 4) Measure client and professional team satisfaction as well as long-term impact of this new approach used to prevent falls. The most significant impact of this new program will be to reduce public health expenditure for care of older adults with balance disorder and risk for falls; and therefore, be implanted in other CIUSSS institutions from Quebec.
Detailed description
This research program on aging to create Living Lab Sag aims at maintaining older adult's full individual and collective abilities in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (SLSJ) region. The need for innovation and creativity aims at optimizing independence, whether for mobility, the ability to take charge of one's health, to remain at home, to have access to services, and to prevent falls in a frail and aging population. Thus, this program includes expert investigators in the areas of health, engineering and computer science, aging, neuropsychology, geriatrics, and rehabilitation/prevention within a multidisciplinary work approach for durable health for older adults in Saguenay. Living Lab Sag will be implemented based on an enriched research program, approved by the CIUSSS SLSJ (CER# 2019-008) and entitled: Development of a new clinical approach in rehabilitation for the care of older adults with a neuro-musculo-skeletal disorder and a risk of falling: Project in partnership between UQAC and the specialized geriatrics services of the CIUSSS-SLSJ. Canada census reports clearly show the demographic aging of the local population. It is predicted that people 65 years and older will comprise about 24% of the population in 2036, in Canada and Quebec. In parallel with this demographic phenomenon, 50% of Canadians live with at least one chronic disability that is often associated with advanced age, as well as with different neurological, orthopedic and cardiopulmonary degenerative diseases. Some diseases affecting the neuro-musculo-skeletal system will lead to physical disability and to a significant functional limitation in terms of balance, mobility and walking and, consequently, to an increase in the risk of falling. Falls have a significant financial effect on healthcare services. Every year, in Quebec, approximately 1/3 of people aged 65 and over will fall and, sadly, some data suggest that 424,000 people will die, worldwide, because of a fall. The present scenario also shows the importance of developing strategies to reduce the weight of falls on the healthcare system, such as the creation of Living Lab Sag where the older adults will be at the heart of the situation. With team's experience in the area, one strategy among others is the early identification of physical-functional factors leading to a fall, despite the presence of other associated extrinsic factors that are also associated with the fall (i.e., multifactor phenomenon). This identification can be realized through neurophysiological measures from valid and reliable biological signals in rehabilitation, that will help determine the neuromuscular responses associated to the level of physical frailty of the individual and his/her fall risk. However, geriatric services in general don't often have access to high-end screening tools that permit an early detection of balance problems and fall risk. Within an innovative action plan, our research program, in partnership with specialized geriatric services and researchers aims to determine the efficiency of new evaluation and intervention methods for the health of the older adults. Since 2019, this programm integrate new measures using various high-end equipment to capture biological signals enabling to perform research with patients from Hospital and patients from Parkinson Association and community local. The mission of this program is to build a new paradigm for this site while being a reference to evaluate balance/mobility and walking problems, better screen frail older adults who are at risk of falling and direct then to personalized therapy. At this time, this work will develop a longitudinal intervention study using OTAGO (PEO) exercise program. The name "OTAGO" is not an acronym, as "Otago" is a region of New Zealand located southwest of the southern island. PEO is defined by a reeducation program for strength and balance at home (or in a rehabilitation center), that is personalized, and based on conclusive data. The PEO was developed by a geriatrician (Dr. Campbell) and his team of physiotherapists in 1997, after many years of research, to identify the risks of falling and the potential interventions that could reduce these risks. The program exists worldwide but has never been tested in Québec. Although there are different fall prevention programs, conclusive data show the more frequent use of OTAGO because of its efficiency to reduce the risk of death and the incidence rate of falls over a period of one year in an aging population. This program also reduces falls by 25% according to conclusive data, which no other program in Québec and in rural areas has demonstrated until now. Finally, this program can be a cost-effective intervention for the healthcare system by reducing expenses associated to falls in rural areas, and in particular for patients in La Baie Hospital. Already used in Australia and the United States, we have yet to determine its effects in the Saguenay area. The goal is to test and show its efficiency for the fist time in the area by a random clinical trial in La Baie Hospital. This step will make it possible to advance our research program on the effective intervention plan to reduce future public healthcare expenses related to falls. The aim of this study will thus be to evaluate if the PEO, when adapted to La Baie geriatric services, is superior to conventional therapy to improve parameters of walking, balance, muscle activation, postural trunk control, mobility, force, endurance and perception of symptoms related to pain, function, fall risk and, consequently, quality of life (wellbeing), volume of medication and expenses associated to fall. In other step, the purpose is also evaluate the effect of carrying out the OTAGO exercises in an outdoor and nature modality during a feasibility study to see the impact of nature on the functional abilities of older people with neuromusculoskeletal disorders (ex. Parkinson disease).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- Clinical pilot trial design
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Otago exercises | Experimental | Other: OTAGO exercisesOTAGO program - based on very specific exercises for balance, force, and muscular endurance as well as on education about the risk of falling. The program is considered as "home care" (exercises to be done at home) but will be done as a group and with supervision, at CIUSSS or from outdoor and nature intervention (recreactional parks). OTAGO session lasts for 30-40 minutes and will be done twice a week at sites with progression. The program is comprised of 5 muscle strengthening exercises and 12 postural balance exercises. Participants will also be invited to walk 2 times per week for 30 minutes (can be divided into shorter periods, for example 3 blocs of 10 minutes) from outdoor sites or recrative parks. According to each person's strength and mobility, exercises will be increased with the use of free weights (for example during squats) and/or by increasing the number of repetitions. Total duration of the program will be 3 months (i.e., a duration adapted to the site). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 to 99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Admitted to La Baie Hospital rehabilitation services; or
- Admitted to the waiting list for geriatric services at La Baie Hospital; or
- Older adults from the communityé
- Age 65 and over
- Able-bodied adult with minimal autonomy to perform fall-prevention tests and exercises.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Cancer
- Red flags (infection, tumor, etc.)
- Severe psychiatric disorders
- Palliative care
- Congenital spinal deformity (spondylolysis, intervertebral fusions)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| OTAGO exercisesAlso: plein air et nature exercisesExercices for improvement postural control and mobility and decrease falls risks | Other | Otago exercises |
Primary outcome
Postural control
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Measures of center of pressure (COP) from plateform of force during different balance tasks
Walking
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Gait parameters from GaitRite measurement
Trunk postural control on wobble chair
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
This test measures trunk postural balance during a sitting balance task on an unstable chair where only lumbar spine movements are allowed to restore balance. Briefly, the base of the chair consists of a pivot at its center and four springs that can be arranged and fixed at a distance varying between 6.0 and 21 cm from the center, allowing the system's level of stability to be varied. The system allows only forward/backward and lateral tilting.
Machine learning-driven neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) assessment
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Adapt and integrate existing machine learning algorithms (e.g., pose detection, body reconstruction) to create an NMS assessment framework using smartphone cameras. Image and video recording will be done with three smartphone cameras, positioned on tripods at different angles to the participants. The initial use of multiple cameras is crucial for gathering multi-dimensional data and will allow us to evaluate the effect of camera angle, and the number of cameras, on the accuracy and reliability of the analyses. Various scales will be placed within the recording space, serving as reference points for future camera calibration.
6 secondary outcomes
Functional mobility test: TUG
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
30 Second Sit to Stand Test
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
maximal isometric hand grip strength
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Walking test in 10 meters
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
5 times Sit-To-Stand (FTSTS)
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks
Numbers of falls
Time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks, 6 and 12 months after
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 12391997Fuzhong L, McAuley E, Fisher KJ, Harmer P, Chaumeton N, Wilson NL. Self-efficacy as a mediator between fear of falling and functional ability in the elderly. J Aging Health. 2002 Nov;14(4):452-66. doi: 10.1177/089826402237178.
- Background: PubMed 26303366Poquet N, Lin C. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). J Physiother. 2016 Jan;62(1):52. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2015.07.001. Epub 2015 Aug 21. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 24484314Barry E, Galvin R, Keogh C, Horgan F, Fahey T. Is the Timed Up and Go test a useful predictor of risk of falls in community dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr. 2014 Feb 1;14:14. doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-14-14.
- Results publication: PubMed 15317981Jiang X, Cooper J, Porter MM, Ready AE. Adoption of Canada's Physical Activity Guide and Handbook for Older Adults: impact on functional fitness and energy expenditure. Can J Appl Physiol. 2004 Aug;29(4):395-410. doi: 10.1139/h04-025.
- Results publication: PubMed 11380764Guideline for the prevention of falls in older persons. American Geriatrics Society, British Geriatrics Society, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Panel on Falls Prevention. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2001 May;49(5):664-72. No abstract available.
- Results publication: PubMed 21892675Woolcott JC, Khan KM, Mitrovic S, Anis AH, Marra CA. The cost of fall related presentations to the ED: a prospective, in-person, patient-tracking analysis of health resource utilization. Osteoporos Int. 2012 May;23(5):1513-9. doi: 10.1007/s00198-011-1764-1. Epub 2011 Sep 3.
- Results publication: PubMed 30222769Oliveira MR, Vieira ER, Gil AWO, Fernandes KBP, Teixeira DC, Amorim CF, da Silva RA. One-legged stance sway of older adults with and without falls. PLoS One. 2018 Sep 17;13(9):e0203887. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203887. eCollection 2018.
- Results publication: PubMed 28095084Vieira ER, Tappen R, Gropper SS, Severi MT, Engstrom G, de Oliveira MR, Barbosa AC, da Silva RA. Changes on Walking During Street Crossing Situations and on Dorsiflexion Strength of Older Caribbean Americans After an Exercise Program: A Pilot Study. J Aging Phys Act. 2017 Oct 1;25(4):525-532. doi: 10.1123/japa.2016-0231. Epub 2017 Sep 14.
- Results publication: PubMed 11253156Fried LP, Tangen CM, Walston J, Newman AB, Hirsch C, Gottdiener J, Seeman T, Tracy R, Kop WJ, Burke G, McBurnie MA; Cardiovascular Health Study Collaborative Research Group. Frailty in older adults: evidence for a phenotype. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001 Mar;56(3):M146-56. doi: 10.1093/gerona/56.3.m146.
- Results publication: PubMed 9366737Campbell AJ, Robertson MC, Gardner MM, Norton RN, Tilyard MW, Buchner DM. Randomised controlled trial of a general practice programme of home based exercise to prevent falls in elderly women. BMJ. 1997 Oct 25;315(7115):1065-9. doi: 10.1136/bmj.315.7115.1065.
- Results publication: PubMed 28204770Shubert TE, Smith ML, Goto L, Jiang L, Ory MG. Otago Exercise Program in the United States: Comparison of 2 Implementation Models. Phys Ther. 2017 Feb 1;97(2):187-197. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20160236.
- Results publication: PubMed 20817938Thomas S, Mackintosh S, Halbert J. Does the 'Otago exercise programme' reduce mortality and falls in older adults?: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age Ageing. 2010 Nov;39(6):681-7. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afq102. Epub 2010 Sep 4.
- Programme d'Exercices OTAGO - Fondation de ma vie - CIUSSS-SLSJ programmes de bourseLink provided by the sponsor.
- Profil main investigatorLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Sharlène Côté, MD study chair
CIUSSS-SLSJ (La Baie Hospital)
Julie Bouchard, PhD study director
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
Patrice Tremblay, PT study chair
CIUSSS-SLSJ (La Baie Hospital)
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing OTAGO exercises in people with Musculoskeletal Diseases and Chronic Disease, run by Université du Québec à Chicoutimi at 1 site in Canada.
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 6 inclusion and 7 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 12 May 2026. 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 Canada. 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?
Postural control (time frame: change from baseline at 8 to 12 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT06175871, which also lists 20 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 12 May 2026.