Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a fall prevention program for older adults. Participants assigned to the intervention group will train weekly on a special treadmill that will simulate tripping. Patients not assigned to the tripping program will walk on a standard treadmill.

Detailed Description
-----------------
The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a fall prevention program for older adults. Participants assigned to the intervention group will train weekly on a special treadmill that will simulate tripping. Patients not assigned to the tripping program will walk on a standard treadmill. The training program will last for 4 weeks. Upon completion, participants will complete a test where a trip is simulated. Those assigned to the intervention group will test one additional time as well.

Official Title
-----------------
Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults

Conditions
-----------------
Accidental Falls

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: fall prevention training
* Behavioral: Attention Control


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: 65-80 yr old, normal reflexes and muscle tone Exclusion Criteria: lower extremity fracture or surgery last 5 yrs back surgery or disc herniation last 5 yrs noticeable gait impairment, low back pain, decreased disease-related vision, dizziness, history of heart problems, bone mineral density <.65, mini-mental score <24

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

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


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Fall Prevention Training<br>The falls prevention training group participated in four weekly training sessions on a custom-built treadmill that produced trip-simulating perturbations (movements). While harnessed overhead to prevent actual falls, the treadmill stopped or moved suddenly. The goal for the participant was to try and prevent a fall. Each week, the level of difficulty of the task was increased. | Behavioral: fall prevention training<br>* Training on a specialized treadmill that produced trip-simulating perturbations (movements.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Attention Control<br>The attention control group participated in four weekly treadmill walking sessions at a self-selected speed. | Behavioral: Attention Control<br>* Participants walked on a treadmill at a self-selected speed once per week for four weeks.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Participants Who Fell on a Tripping Test | Participants completed a tripping test upon completion of the 4 weeks training period. Participants walked along a platform while harnessed to an overhead rail. Participants walked at a self-selected pace knowing that they will be tripped but do not know how or when the trip will be induced. The trip is induced by an obstruction that deploys from the floor. A decoy rope was laid across the pathway about 3 meters before the trip to intentionally mislead the participant to expect the trip at that point. This expectation affects gait and response to a trip. The participant was tripped on the 3rd set of 10 walking trials. | 4 weeks |