Effect of Perturbation Training on Balance Control in Elderly Persons

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The proposed project is a prospective experimental Randomized Control Trial study design. Independent old adults (age 70 years old and older) who do not suffer from balance problems willing to participate in the study will be tested before and after Peturbation balance training during walking to explore whether there are differences in balance control and balance reactions as a result of training.

Detailed Description
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A total of 48 old adults will be enrolled, evaluated and trained. They will be randomly assigned to two groups: one exercise group (perturbation training) and one group without perturbation. No gender based differences are expected for the recovery outcome measures so we will be able to pool male and female individuals for this analysis. Each subject of the experimental and of the control groups will be trained on 24 occasions over a period of 10-12 weeks (20-30 minutes, 2-3 times/week). This regimen was based on previous balance training study that demonstrated improvements in balance control with similar training duration and frequency. Gait and balance function and physical activity level will be tested in both groups before, immediately after, 3 and 6 months after completion of the training period to explore the benefit and carryover of training. In addition using monthly phone calls, falls, their severity, functional activity limitations in the home and community setting and health status will be monitored 12 months after the training period.

Official Title
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Effect of Balance Perturbation to Improve Gait and Balance Control and Prevent Falls in Elderly Persons -A Randomized Control Trial

Conditions
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Accidental Falls

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: perturbation training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Be 70 years or older, male or female Be an independent ambulator (not cane or walker) and provide medical waiver from MD. Exclusion Criteria: Severe focal muscle weakness or paralysis, after Total Hip or knee arthroplasty Moderate-severe dementia (Mini-Mental Score < 24). Serious visual impairment Severe peripheral or compression/entrapment neuropathies. Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or neurological disorders that may interfere with participation in the exercise program. Cancer, metastatic or under active treatment.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: experimental<br>perturbation training during walking | Procedure: perturbation training<br>* The experimental and control groups will participate in 3 month training program twice a week 20 minutes each training session<br>* Other names: perturbation training during walking;|
| Active Comparator: controls<br>treadmill walking | Procedure: perturbation training<br>* The experimental and control groups will participate in 3 month training program twice a week 20 minutes each training session<br>* Other names: perturbation training during walking;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| voluntary and compensatory step execution times in miliseconds | the time from perturbation to foot contact the floor completing the recovary stepping will be measured in miliseconds | change from baseline to 3 months later | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| postural sway parameters such as mediolateral sway in milimeters and elliptical area in milimeters squeres | body sway will be measured to evaluate control of posture | Time 1: pre test' and 3 months later time 2: post testing procedure | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Balance control, Aging, Balance reactions, Perturbation, above seventy years old