The Use of Virtual Reality for the Gait Training of Elderly Fallers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study aims to investigate the efficacy of gait training using virtual reality to decrease the risk of falls in elderly idiopathic fallers. The investigator hypothesize that training with virtual reality would increase the ability to perform in the real world environment and decrease the risk of falls in elderly adults.

Detailed Description
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The study is a prospective single-blinded randomized control study with repeated measures at pre intervention, post intervention and follow up at 3 and 6 months post intervention. For six months after termination of the intervention, all subjects will fill out a log book in which they will write the occurrence and date of falls. total time of participation in the study will be 8 months.

Official Title
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Gait Training Intervention to Evaluate the Efficacy of Using Virtual Reality to Decrease Fall Risk in the Elderly Population

Conditions
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Elderly

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: gait training
* Other: gait training 2
* Other: exercise group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: between the ages of 65-85 independent in activities of daily living able to walk without assistance for at least 10 minutes cognitively intact (Mini Mental State Exam ≥24) reported 2 or more falls within 6 months prior to the beginning of the study Exclusion Criteria: any neurological, orthopedic or any other impairment likely to impact gait. severe visual impairments major depression as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 85 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: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Treadmill +virtual reality training<br> | Other: gait training<br>* subjects will walk on a treadmill while virtual obstacles will be displayed using a head mounted device<br>* Other names: virtual reality;|
| Active Comparator: Treadmill alone<br> | Other: gait training 2<br>* subjects will walk on a treadmill under a progressive intensive gait protocol<br>* Other names: treadmill;|
| Active Comparator: standard of care exercise group<br> | Other: exercise group<br>* standard of care exercise group to improve strength and balance<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gait dynamics | using an accelerometer, the coefficient of variation will be calculated | one week after training | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| cognitive function | using a cmputerized cognitive battary and neuropsychological testing | one week after training | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Gait, Falls, Virtual reality