Improving Balance in Frail Elderly

Improving Balance in Frail Elderly: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Two Methods to Enhance Strength (Stretch and Strength Versus Core Strength)

The objective of this pilot study is to estimate, for a frail elderly population, the extent to which balance improves following a Core-Strength training program in comparison to a Stretch & Strength program. A secondary objective is to explore the impact of core strength training on urinary incontinence.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Elderly; Frail
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Core

Detailed Description

Participants will be randomized to one of the two exercise groups, Core-Strength training group or the Stretch & Strength group. The exercises will consist of 15-20 minute session for every day they attend the GDH. Measures will be made at admission, after 6 weeks of the program and at discharge if more than past 6 weeks.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Early Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Quebec
    • Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A-1A1
      • McGill University-Royal Victoria Hospital Site

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• elderly persons attending the geriatric day hospital at the royal victoria hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• persons who are not medically fit to participate in the Geriatric day hospital physiotherapy component.
• the individuals at high risk for falls

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: core; strength training of the core muscles.	Other: Core; We have devised a series of core strength training exercises that can be easily and safely performed under the supervision of trained staff. The exercises will be individualized depending on the participants' ability and health conditions. The majority, but not all, of exercises will be performed on or with exercise balls of different sizes and shapes, round for more advanced persons and oval for more frail persons.
No Intervention: stretch and strength; This program consists of general stretching exercises and peripheral muscle strengthening exercises with a special emphasis on strengthening the upper extremity muscles because of their importance for ADL but not necessarily balance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Berg balance scale	baseline, 6 weeks, discharge

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Functional walking capacity 6 minute walk test	baseline, 6 weeks, discharge
Gait speed	baseline, 6 weeks, discharge
Bridge Test	Baseline, 6 weeks, discharge
Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale)	Baseline, 6 weeks, Discharge
International Consultation on Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire- Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI)	Baseline, 6 weeks, discharge

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: McGill University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: August 1, 2006
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 4, 2008
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 4, 2008
• First Posted (Estimate): November 5, 2008

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): February 4, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 1, 2013
• Last Verified: March 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: elderly, balance, core, strength
• Other Study ID Numbers: SDR-06--010