The impact of a home-based computerized cognitive training intervention on fall risk measure performance in community dwelling older adults, a pilot study

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Blackwood ◽  
T. Shubert ◽  
K. Fogarty ◽  
C. Chase
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Risk Measure ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Computerized Cognitive Training ◽  
Home Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

EFFECTS OF COMPUTERIZED COGNITIVE TRAINING ON GAIT SPEED IN COMMUNITY DWELLING OLDER ADULTS, A PILOT STUDY

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
J. Blackwood ◽  
T. Houston
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Computerized Cognitive Training ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Improved Function ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background: In older adults declines in gait speed have been identified as predictors of functional decline and have been found in those with cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive training interventions that emphasize addressing executive function (EF) have resulted in a transfer effect from training cognitive processes into improved function. However research examining the effects of an EF specific computerized cognitive training (CCT) program on gait speed (GS) is limited. Objectives: To compare the effects of a six week EF specific CCT program on GS in community dwelling older adults using a pretest/posttest experimental design with subgroup comparisons based on a cutoff GS of 1.0m/s. Setting: Home based Participants: Forty independent living older adults (>65 years) without diagnosed cognitive impairment participated in either the intervention or control groups. Intervention: A six week long progressively challenging EF focused CCT program was performed at home. Measurements: Demographic variables, cognitive function (Trail-Making Test Part B) and GS were measured at baseline at week 7. Between group comparisons were completed for the whole sample initially with subgroup comparisons performed based on participants’ initial GS (Slow walkers: GS<1.0m/s; Fast Walkers: GS>1.0m/s). Results: No differences in GS were found for the whole population, but subgroup analyses restricted to slow walkers demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in GS after 6 weeks of CCT (µ =0.33 m/s, p = 0.03). Other outcomes measures were not statistically different at posttest. Conclusions: Older adults who walk at speeds <1.0m/s may benefit from a progressively challenging CCT program when self-administered in the home.

scholarly journals Risk-of-falling related outcomes improved in community-dwelling older adults after a 6-week sideways walking intervention: a feasibility and pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Skiadopoulos ◽  
Nick Stergiou
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Large Trial ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract BackgroundAging increases fall risk and alters gait mechanics and control. Our previous work has identified sideways walking as a potential training regimen to decrease fall risk by improving frontal plane control in older adults’ gait. The purposes of this pilot study were to test the feasibility of sideways walking as an exercise intervention and to explore its preliminary effects on risk-of-falling related outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a 6-week single-arm intervention pilot study. Participants were community-dwelling older adults ≥ 65 years old with walking ability. Key exclusion criteria were neuromusculoskeletal and cardiovascular disorders that affect gait. Individualized sideways walking intervention carried out under close supervision in a 200 m indoor walking track (3 days∙week− 1). Recruitment and retention capability, safety, and fidelity of intervention delivery were recorded. We also collected (open-label) walking speed, gait variability, self-reported and performance-based functional measures to assess participants’ risk-of-falling at baseline and post-intervention: immediate, and 6 weeks after the completion of the intervention.ResultsOver a 7-month period, 42 individuals expressed interest, 21 assessed for eligibility (21/42), and 15 consented to participate (15/21). Most of the potential participants were reluctant to commit to a 6-week intervention. Desired recruitment rate was achieved after revising the recruitment strategy. One participant dropped out (1/15). Remaining participants demonstrated excellent adherence to the protocol. Participants improved on most outcomes and the effects remained at follow-up. No serious adverse events were recorded during the intervention.ConclusionOur 6-week sideways walking training was feasible to deliver and demonstrated strong potential as an exercise intervention to improve risk-of-falling outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. In a future trial, alternative clinical tools should be considered to minimize the presence of ceiling/floor effects. A future large trial is needed to confirm sideways walking as a fall prevention intervention.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04505527. Retrospectively registered 10 August 2020.Trial fundingCenter for Research in Human Movement Variability, National Institutes for Health, University of Nebraska Collaboration Initiative.

Home-Based Exercise Program Improves Balance and Fear of Falling in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Mild Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 565-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalpana P. Padala ◽  
Prasad R. Padala ◽  
Shelly Y. Lensing ◽  
Richard A. Dennis ◽  
Melinda M. Bopp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

scholarly journals Risk‐of‐falling related outcomes improved in community‐dwelling older adults after a 6-week sideways walking intervention: a feasibility and pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Skiadopoulos ◽  
Nick Stergiou
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background Aging increases fall risk and alters gait mechanics and control. Our previous work has identified sideways walking as a potential training regimen to decrease fall risk by improving frontal plane control in older adults’ gait. The purposes of this pilot study were to test the feasibility of sideways walking as an exercise intervention and to explore its preliminary effects on risk-of-falling related outcomes. Methods We conducted a 6-week single-arm intervention pilot study. Participants were community-dwelling older adults ≥ 65 years old with walking ability. Key exclusion criteria were neuromusculoskeletal and cardiovascular disorders that affect gait. Because initial recruitment rate through University of Nebraska at Omaha and Omaha community was slower than expected (3 participants∙week− 1), we expanded the recruitment pool through the Mind & Brain Health Labs registry of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Individualized sideways walking intervention carried out under close supervision in a 200 m indoor walking track (3 days∙week− 1). Recruitment and retention capability, safety, and fidelity of intervention delivery were recorded. We also collected (open-label) walking speed, gait variability, self-reported and performance-based functional measures to assess participants’ risk-of-falling at baseline and post-intervention: immediate, and 6 weeks after the completion of the intervention. Results Over a 7-month period, 42 individuals expressed interest, 21 assessed for eligibility (21/42), and 15 consented to participate (15/21). Most of the potential participants were reluctant to commit to a 6-week intervention. Desired recruitment rate was achieved after revising the recruitment strategy. One participant dropped out (1/15). Remaining participants demonstrated excellent adherence to the protocol. Participants improved on most outcomes and the effects remained at follow-up. No serious adverse events were recorded during the intervention. Conclusions Our 6-week sideways walking training was feasible to deliver and demonstrated strong potential as an exercise intervention to improve risk-of-falling outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. In a future trial, alternative clinical tools should be considered to minimize the presence of ceiling/floor effects. A future large trial is needed to confirm sideways walking as a fall prevention intervention. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04505527. Retrospectively registered 10 August 2020.

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