Feasibility Aquatic Physical Exercise to Reduce Falls in Institutionalized Elderly

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a pilot randomized control trial with single blinding of the assessor that will be conducted in two nursing homes residence to evaluate the applicability of a physical exercise program performed in an aquatic environment compared with the same realization but land-based to reduce falls in the institutionalized old people. The secondary objectives are to study the applicability of the intervention in improving balance, function, gait mobility, muscle strength of the lower limbs and the perception of the intervention.

Detailed Description
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The participants will be randomized and divided into the hydrotherapy group or the control group. Each participant will attend a total of 24 physical exercise sessions of 50 minutes of duration. The study outcomes will be measured before the intervention and in 3 posterior phases to evaluate its effects in the short, medium and long terms.

Official Title
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Feasibility of a Physical Exercise Program, Performed Inside or Outside the Aquatic Environment, to Reduce Falls in Institutionalized Elderly: A Pilot Randomised Clinical Study

Conditions
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Strength, Age Problems, Cognitive Impairment, Elderly, Postural Balance

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Be institutionalized in a care center Participate voluntarily and sign the informed consent Have a punctuation of 2 or more in The Downton Fall Risk Index Exclusion Criteria: Suffer from a condition that can be affected or hinder exercise Acute disease unresolved in 10 days Not controlled hypertension Contagious skin disorder Urinary or faecal incontinence

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 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: Hydrotherapy<br>Exercise performed in an aquatic environment. The participants will perform static/dynamic exercises (balance and resistance training) in an aquatic environment. Training volume and intensity we will increase systematically over 12 weeks. | Other: Exercise<br> <br> |
| Active Comparator: Control<br>The participants will perform exercises (balance and resistance training) like hydrotherapy group but out of the aquatic environment, during a 12 weeks training period (3sessions/week). Training volume and intensity we will increase systematically over 12 weeks. | Other: Exercise<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline Number of Falls at 3 months, 6 months and 9 months | Falls follow up | 3 months, 6 months, 9 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Balance measured with Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment | Measured with Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment | 3 months, 6 months, 9 months | 
| Pain measured with Visual Analogue Scale | Measured with Visual Analogue Scale | 3 months, 6 months, 9 months | 
| Mobility measured with Timed Up & Go Test | Measured with Timed Up & Go Test | 3 months, 6 months, 9 months | 
| Daily living activities measured with Barthel Test | Measured with Barthel Test | 3 months, 6 months, 9 months | 
| Muscle strength measured with Five Sit to Stand test and Handgrip Test | Measured with Five Sit to Stand test and Handgrip Test | 3 months, 6 months, 9 months | 
| Intervention Perception measured with Qualitative interview | Qualitative interview | 3 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Physical Therapy Modalities, Accidental Fall, Elderly, Hydrotherapy, Nursing Home