The Influence of Balance Training on Postural Control in Elderly

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Fall related injuries are major health problem which effect especially elderly population. After experiencing a fall, most of the elderly are unable to resume their previous mobility and the fear of future falls affects their daily life. Falls in elderly population are often related to balance or gait problems. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of balance training on postural and motor control of healthy elderly participants. The study is designed as a parallel interventional study with experimental and control group (allocation ratio 1:1). Participants' general health, balance abilities, fear of falling and gait stability and variability will be assessed on the baseline measurement, right after and 2 months after the completion of the training programme. Experimental group will undergo training focused on development of balance abilities and strength twice a week (60 minutes in length each) for 8 weeks. Participants will receive individualized exercises which will be focused on the main 4 types - stance exercises, gait and transition exercises and strength exercises especially focused on muscle strength of lower extremities.

Official Title
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The Influence of Balance Training on Postural Control in Elderly

Conditions
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Accidental Falls

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Balance training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age 60+ ability to stand and walk without aid or support participation in the institutional program Falls risk and balance assessment with successful completion of one year of observation for falls Exclusion Criteria: neuromuscular or orthopaedic impairments that severely limit mobility and balance surgery or injury on the musculoskeletal system less than 2 years before baseline measurement any acute illness

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: interventional<br>Experimental group will undergo balance training for 8 weeks. | Behavioral: Balance training<br>* The interventional program will last 8 weeks with the intensity of two 60-minutes lectures a week. Training sessions will be delivered by a physiotherapist to small groups of patients (3-5). Participants will receive individualized exercises which will be focused on main 4 types - stance exercises, gait and transition exercises and strength exercises especially focused on muscle strength of the lower extremities. The difficulty level will be increased progressively after participant's ability to complete each exercise independently (e.g. eyes closed, exercises on balance equipment - wobble board, foam etc., addition of a secondary cognitive task). The training session will consist of a ten-minute warm-up followed by five-minute stretching, 30 minutes of balance training and 15 minutes of stretching and relaxation.<br>|
| No Intervention: control<br>Control group will have no assigned intervention. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline Berg balance scale score after completing intervention |  | 2 months | 
| Change from baseline mean velocity of centre of pressure during quiet stance after completing intervention |  | 2 months | 
| Change from baseline stride time variability after completing intervention |  | 2 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline Falls efficacy scale - International score after completing intervention |  | 2 months | 
| Change from baseline gait velocity after completing intervention |  | 2 months | 
| Change from baseline short-term Lyapunov exponents after completing intervention |  | 2 months |