Effect of Water-Exercise on Balance Function of Healthy Elderly Individuals
Information source: Soroka University Medical Center
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015 Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Stability; Balance
Intervention: water based training program to improve balance (Behavioral)
Phase: N/A
Status: Completed
Sponsored by: Soroka University Medical Center Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s): Itshak Melzer, PhD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Ben-gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel dagan Shvartz, MD, Study Chair, Affiliation: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Summary
The proposed project is a Randomized Controlled study design. Seniors (age >65) willing to
participate in the study will be shortly interviewed to assess eligibility according to the
inclusion-exclusion criteria. The first 60 subjects who upon questioning were judged to meet
the following inclusion criteria:
1. able to stand independently 90 seconds
2. able to walk 10 meters (with cane if necessary)
3. able to understand verbal instructions.
The exclusion criteria will be:
1. Serious visual impairment
2. Inability to ambulate independently (cane acceptable, walker not).
3. Severely impaired cognitive status (score less then 24 in Mini Mental State
Examination).
4. Persons with impaired communication capabilities.
The whole project will be conducted over a period of 24 months. The proposed study is a
randomized experimental intervention/ control group design. A total of 60 elderly volunteer
subjects will be randomly assigned to two groups, exercise group (30) and control group
(30). Twelve training periods will be performed with 8 subjects participating in training
during each period (4 exercise groups). The exercise group will meet on 24 occasions over a
period of 12 weeks (2 times/week).
Gait and balance function will be tested in both groups with well established measuring
techniques before and after the training period. The measuring techniques
1. Medical background variables.
2. Berg Balance Scale.
3. Late life Function and Disability Instrument.
4. Get up and go test - stand up and walk 3 meters turn around and walk back to the
chair.
5. Fall Efficacy Scale
6. Fall incidence and fall severity.
7. 6-minute walk test. The control group will not perform any specific balance training
during the 12 week period.
These individuals from control will participate in a separate exercise program after the
training period.
The water training intervention is performed on different levels where each level reflects
different increasing demands on the postural control system. The water exercises also
include perturbation exercises that trigger specific reflex-like balance responses. On each
level the instructor can instantly modify an exercise to be more or less challenging for
each participant.
Clinical Details
Official title: Effect of Water-Exercise on Balance Function of Healthy Elderly Individuals - A Randomized Control Study
Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Prevention
Primary outcome: Berg Balance ScaleLate life Function and Disability Instrument Get up and go test Step execution test under single and dual task Stability tests
Eligibility
Minimum age: 65 Years.
Maximum age: N/A.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
1. able to stand independently 90 seconds;
2. able to walk 10 meters (with cane if necessary);
3. able to understand verbal instructions.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Serious visual impairment;
2. Inability to ambulate independently (cane acceptable, walker not).
3. Severely impaired cognitive status (score less then 24 in Mini Mental State
Examination).
4. Persons with impaired communication capabilities.
Locations and Contacts
SorokaUMC, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
Additional Information
Starting date: January 2006
Last updated: July 1, 2008
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