Steady Feet: Preventing Falls in the Community

Steady Feet Falls Prevention Programme for Community-dwelling Older Adults at Risk for Falls in Singapore: A Feasibility Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of Steady Feet, a three-month community-based falls prevention exercise program.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Feasibility; Exercise; Fall; Older Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Steady Feet; Other: Usual care for fall prevention

Detailed Description

Participants aged 60 or older, at high risk of falls, with Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores between 7 and 11, and without significant cognitive or vision impairment, were recruited for a non-randomized, two-arm study. They were evaluated at baseline and the third month. The intervention group (IG) underwent Steady Feet and CGH's standard care for fall prevention, while the control group (CG) received CGH's standard care for fall prevention. Feasibility was assessed across Bowen's domains, including acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, adaptation, and limited efficacy. Measurements included SPPB, Timed Up and Go, the 6-minute walk test, the Four-Square Step Test, the CONFbal scale, and a satisfaction survey administered to IG participants. Between-groups statistical analyses will be performed.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 65
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Singapore
  • Singapore, Singapore, 529889
    • Changi General Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 60 years and above
• At high risk of falls according to the FROP-COM
• Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score of 7 to 11
• Able to ambulate without wheelchairs or walkers
• Able to understand basic instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Possess significant cognitive impairment (Abbreviated Mental Test < 5)
• Had visual impairment, as determined by not passing at least 2 out of 3 Vision Function Test(s) (Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMar) vision, Stereoscopic vision, and Melbourne Edge Test (MET)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention; Three-month, twice weekly, exercise intervention and usual care for fall prevention.	Behavioral: Steady Feet; Steady Feet is a three-month progressive exercise-based single-component intervention spanning twenty-four sessions, with a focus on enhancing balance, mobility, and strength among community-dwelling older adults at risk of falls.; Other: Usual care for fall prevention; CGH's usual care for fall prevention, which include fall prevention materials and advice.
Active Comparator: Control; Usual care for fall prevention.	Other: Usual care for fall prevention; CGH's usual care for fall prevention, which include fall prevention materials and advice.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)	SPPB comprises three components, (i) static balance, (ii) gait speed, and (iii) chair stands. A higher score on the SPPB is indicative of better physical functional status (maximum score of 12 points).	an average of 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
CONFbal	The CONFbal scale is a ten-item measure used to assess self-reported confidence in maintaining balance under different conditions. The overall CONFbal score ranges from 10 to 30. Lower scores reflect higher levels of subjective balance confidence.	an average of 12 weeks
Six-minute walk test (6MWT)	The 6MWT is a validated tool for assessing functional status and endurance in older adults. Participants are instructed to walk continuously for six minutes along a ten-meter course, which is marked with a turnaround point to enable participants to walk to-and-fro. The total distance walked during the test is recorded.	an average of 12 weeks
Timed up and go (TUG)	The TUG is used to evaluate gait, balance, and dynamic mobility in individuals. Participants are instructed to rise from a seated position, walk three meters to the endpoint marked with an object, and return to the seat. The time taken to complete the assessment is recorded.	an average of 12 weeks
Four square step test (FSST)	The FSST is a validated measure of coordination and dynamic stability in older adults. Participants are asked to quickly step forward, backward, and sideways over a low obstacle, following a predetermined sequence delineated by four squares marked on the ground. The time taken to complete the task was recorded.	an average of 12 weeks
Feedback and satisfaction survey	The self-developed feedback and satisfaction survey assessed participant satisfaction with the SF sessions, the instructors, the venue, the pace, the exercises, and the perceived effects of SF on their health	an average of 12 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Attendance and completion rates	Participants' attendance and completion records for the Steady Feet intervention.	an average of 12 weeks
Safety of Steady Feet	Reports on adverse events (if any) during the study.	an average of 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Changi General Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Shou Lin Low, MRCP (UK), Changi General Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 19, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 20, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): December 20, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 8, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 12, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): April 17, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 17, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 12, 2024
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2850

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to ethical restrictions.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No