The Effects of Light-Targeted Balance Training on Balance, Functional Performance, and Fear of Falling in Individuals With a History of Falls

The Effects of Light-Targeted Balance Training on Balance, Functional Performance, and Fear of Falling in Individuals With a History of Falls: A Randomized Controlled Trial

In recent years, exercise programs based on visual stimuli have been reported to improve balance and motor control . However, studies investigating the effects of light-targeted balance training on balance, functional performance, and fear of falling in individuals with a history of falls are limited.

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of light-targeted balance training on balance, functional performance, and fear of falling in individuals with a history of falls. In addition, the study aims to investigate whether this training method provides additional benefits compared with traditional balance training. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of rehabilitation programs aimed at preventing falls.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Fear of Falling; Accidental Falls; Balance Impairment
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Light- Targeted Balance Training; Behavioral: Standard Balance Training

Detailed Description

Inclusion Criteria

1. Having experienced at least one fall within the previous 12 months.
2. Being 18 years of age or older.
3. Being able to walk independently or with the assistance of a walking aid.
4. Being able to understand and follow verbal and visual instructions.
5. Providing voluntary consent to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Presence of an acute orthopedic injury or an active musculoskeletal condition causing pain.
2. Having undergone lower extremity surgery within the previous 6 months.
3. Having advanced neurological disorders (e.g., advanced Parkinson's disease, advanced dementia).
4. Having severe vestibular dysfunction or significant visual impairment.
5. Having a cardiovascular condition that contraindicates exercise.
6. Having advanced systemic diseases that significantly impair balance.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Shirin Khezritomatari; Phone Number: +905342494709; Email: shirin.khezry8401@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34000
      • Recruiting
      • Uskudar University
      • Contact: Shirin Khezritomatari, Master student; Phone Number: +905342494709; Email: Shirin.khezry8401@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of at least one fall within the past 12 months
• Age 18 years or older
• Ability to walk independently or with an assistive device
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and visual instructions
• Voluntary participation in the study and provision of written informed consent by signing the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute orthopedic injury or an active musculoskeletal condition causing pain
• History of lower extremity surgery within the past 6 months
• Advanced neurological disorders (e.g., advanced Parkinson's disease, advanced dementia)
• Severe vestibular dysfunction or significant visual impairment
• Medical conditions that contraindicate exercise due to severe cardiovascular disease
• Advanced systemic diseases that severely affect balance

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental Group; Participants in this group will receive light-targeted balance training in addition to the standard program.	Behavioral: Light- Targeted Balance Training; Exercises aimed at improving coordination, balance, and functional performance using visual and auditory cues.
Active Comparator: Control Group; Participants in this group will receive standard balance exercises.	Behavioral: Standard Balance Training; Conventional balance training exercises.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Balance Performance (Berg Balance Scale)	Balance performance is assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The scale consists of 14 functional tasks scored from 0 to 4. The total score ranges from 0 to 56, where higher scores indicate better balance and lower fall risk.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Functional Mobility (Timed Up and Go Test - TUG)	Dynamic balance and mobility are assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The time (in seconds) taken to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down is recorded. Shorter completion times indicate better mobility.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Change in Dynamic Balance (Y-Balance Test)	Dynamic postural control is evaluated using the Y-Balance Test (YBT) in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach directions for both lower extremities. Reach distance is normalized to limb length ((reach distance / limb length) x 100) and composite scores are calculated.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Change in Lower Body Strength (30-Second Chair Stand Test)	Lower extremity functional muscle strength is measured using the 30-Second Chair Stand Test. The total number of full stands completed from a seated position in 30 seconds is recorded. A higher number of repetitions indicates greater lower body strength.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Change in Gait Speed (10-Meter Walk Test - 10MWT)	Walking speed is assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT). Participants walk a 10-meter course at their comfortable and/or fast walking pace, and the time taken (in seconds) to traverse the intermediate 6 meters is recorded to calculate gait speed (m/s).	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Change in Fear of Falling (Falls Efficacy Scale-International - FES-I)	Fear of falling is evaluated using the 16-item Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Each item is scored on a 4-point Likert scale from 1 (not at all concerned) to 4 (very concerned). Total score ranges from 16 to 64, with higher scores reflecting greater fear of falling.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Change in Balance Confidence (Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale - ABC)	Balance confidence is measured using the 16-item Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Participants rate their confidence in performing specific activities without losing balance on a scale from 0% to 100%. The overall score is the mean percentage across all items.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Uskudar University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 31, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 15, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 15, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): August 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 31, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 27, 2026
• Last Verified: August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: rehabilitation; functional performance; balance training
• Other Study ID Numbers: 61351342/020-2288

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

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