Perturbation-Based Treadmill Training to Prevent Unrecovered Falls in Geriatric Patients

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age70+
SponsorUniversity of Oldenburg

About this trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effectiveness of perturbation-based balance training (PBT) in preventing unrecovered falls among geriatric patients aged ≥70 years with a prospective fall risk of ≥40%. The study will also assess the safety and feasibility of PBT. The main research questions are:

A total of 396 participants will receive 9 training sessions of either PBT or conventional treadmill training and will attend an assessment before and after the intervention, as well as 6 and 12 months follow up. Falls will be documented throughout the entire study period using calendars, telephone interviews, and proxy information. The primary outcome, unrecovered falls, will be recorded after the end of the intervention until 12 months follow up.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

≥ 70 years

≥40% prospective fall risk for the following year according to the Fall Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT-up)

Walking distance ≥ 70 m in the 2 Minute Walk Test

Possibility to reach the study site at least via taxi

Disqualifiers

MoCA score < 10 pts (or MMSE < 17 pts)

Performing a Timed up and Go test (TUG) <10 s

Leg amputation

Osteosynthesis or joint replacement of lower extremities within the past 6 weeks.

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Conventional Treadmill Walking (CTT)
  • Perturbation-Based Balance Training (PBT)

Treatment groups

396 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Oldenburg

Lead sponsor

Marienhospital Herne

Collaborator

University of Ulm

Collaborator

University of Konstanz

Collaborator

University Hospital, Aachen

Collaborator

Robert Bosch-Krankenhaus Stuttgart

Collaborator

University Hospital Heidelberg

Collaborator

Technische Hochschule Ulm

Collaborator