Improving Balance and Mobility (MMBI)

Background: Falls are currently the leading cause of injurious death and non-fatal injuries for adults over the age of 65. Older Veterans may be at greater risk for falls due to their high burden of medical co-morbidity. The VA has made research into fall prevention a high priority. Falls are complex with numerous deficits including impaired balance, decreased postural control, muscle weakness, and an inability to successfully negotiate environmental hazards. Tai Chi is currently considered to be one of the most effective fall prevention exercise interventions, with an endorsement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which widely influences health care policy. However, there are few studies comparing Tai Chi with another active intervention. Tai Chi may generally improve balance, decrease fall risk, and provides a general lower body strengthening. However, Tai Chi may not sufficiently improve gait and dynamic mobility and does little to target obstacle negotiation, one of the largest contributors to a fall. The majority of falls occur during walking, with slips and trips being the most common causes and targeted interventions focused on improving stepping and walking ability may be even more effective at improving balance and reducing falls.

The Investigators plan to enroll 56 older (age > 65 years) community dwelling Veterans with a history of a fall in the last year who are at high risk for a recurrent fall. After baseline testing participants will be randomized to either MMBI or a Tai Chi intervention modeled after the Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance Program. All participants will participate in a group exercise class in their assigned intervention for 1 hour, 3 times per week for 24 weeks. After the completion of 24 weeks of exercise group changes will be compared for 1) balance (4-square step test); 2) mobility and fall risk (functional gait assessment); 3) rate of falls; 4) lower extremity isometric strength testing (biodex); and 5) body composition. The investigators also plan for follow all participants for 6 months after completion of the intervention to examine differences in fall rates after the cessation of the program between the groups.

Impact: This research directly benefits Veterans as it may lead to new and effective interventions that could reduce fall risk, injury-related hospitalization and death in older Veterans. MMBI is also readily exportable to the community and with minimal resources could be widely implemented at other VAs as part of standard of care, similar to Managing Overweight and/or Obesity for Veterans Everywhere! (MOVE!). Results from this SPIRE grant will be used to power a larger randomized clinical trial that will examine the effectiveness of the two interventions to reduce rate of falls and risk of falling in older Veterans at high risk for falls.