Effects of the Cawthorne and Cooksey Exercise Program on Balance, Fear of Falling and Dizziness on Daily Life in Older Adults
Condition: Older Adults; Accidental Falls; Prevention; Exercise
MeSH terms: Vertigo; Dizziness
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Background: The vestibular system plays a crucial role in maintaining balance. Deficiencies
      in this system can result in instability and an increased risk of falls in older adults,
      posing a significant global health concern due to associated injuries. The Cawthorne and
      Cooksey program has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing balance and reducing falls. This
      study aims to investigate the program's impact on balance, fear of falling, and dizziness in
      individuals aged 65 and older. Thirty-two older adults will be assigned to intervention and
      control groups. The intervention group will undergo a video-supported Cawthorne and
      Cooksey-based therapy, while the control group will receive counseling on fall prevention and
      healthy living through leaflets. The 4-week intervention will take place three times a week,
      including one face-to-face session and one via video. Pre- and post-assessments, along with a
      one-month follow-up, will be conducted.
    

Detailed description: 
      Background: The vestibular system is a primary contributor to balance maintenance, serving as
      the absolute reference point in relation to other structures, including the visual system,
      labyrinth, and proprioceptive receptors. Any deficiency in these systems is automatically
      associated with balance disturbances, potentially leading to feelings of instability and an
      increased risk of falling. Falls among the elderly represent a global health concern due to
      their association with severe injuries and chronic disability. Annually, around 30% of
      community-dwelling seniors experience at least one fall, with 10%-20% falling two or more
      times. Any fall can result in injury, prolonged immobilization, decreased functional
      capacity, negative psychological impact, and in some cases, even mortality. The Cawthorne and
      Cooksey exercise program has demonstrated effectiveness in improving balance, reducing falls,
      and enhancing quality of life.

      Aim: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Cawthorne and Cooksey exercises in
      enhancing balance, diminishing the fear of falls, and reducing dizziness in individuals over
      the age of 65.

      Methods/Design: Thirty-two older adults are anticipated to participate in this study.
      Participants will be divided into two groups (intervention and control). The intervention
      group will receive therapy based on Cawthorne and Cooksey exercises, while the control group
      will receive counseling focused on fall prevention and promotion of an active, healthy
      lifestyle through informational leaflets. The intervention will span 4 weeks, occurring three
      times a week, with the first session conducted in person and the remaining two via video
      assistance from their homes. Participants' balance, fear of falling, and dizziness will be
      assessed both before and after the intervention, and re-evaluated one-month
      post-intervention.

      Expected results: This exercise program is expected to significantly benefit elderly
      individuals by improving their balance and reducing the fear of falling within this specific
      age group. Additionally, we hypothesize that these exercises will alleviate dizziness and
      enhance overall quality of life, as supported by existing literature.
    

Intervention name(s): Cawthorne and Cooksey exercise program; Control
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Participants in this group will receive an exercise program based on Cawthorne and Cooksey exercises. The intervention will last for 4 weeks, taking place three times a week, with the first session conducted in person and the remaining two assisted via video from their homes.; Control group will receive counseling focused on fall prevention and promotion of an active, healthy lifestyle through informational leaflets.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: A one-month assessor-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted involving 30 seniors with balance deficits. Participants will be divided equally into two groups (intervention and control), each comprising 15 individuals. The intervention group will receive a Cawthorne and Cooksey-based exercise program, while the control group will receive counseling on fall prevention and guidance for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle through informational leaflets.
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Cawthorne and Cooksey Exercise; Balance; Likelihood of Fall; dizziness; physiotherapy