Exercise Program for Preventing Falls

(ACTIVE Trial)

Overseen By Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Neurodegenerative disease, Stroke, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 12 months

328 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The Problem: The proposed trial will address the problem of how to effectively prevent subsequent falls in community-dwelling cognitively frail older adults with a history of falls. Primary Question: In community-dwelling older adults with cognitive frailty and a history of falls, can a home-based exercise program with behavioural change techniques significantly reduce falls vs. health education (i.e., control; CON)?

Research Team

Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of British Columbia

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older adults aged 70-89 in Greater Vancouver who live at home, have had a fall in the last year, show signs of frailty and mild cognitive issues but can walk (with a cane if needed) and safely exercise. They need internet access at home and must be able to consent.

Inclusion Criteria

I have fallen without fainting in the last year.

I can walk on my own, but I may use a cane.

Living in Greater Vancouver

Exclusion Criteria

Self-report engaging in strength training and/or balance training exercises more than 2 times per week in the prior 3 months

Unable to understand, speak, and read English proficiently

I have been diagnosed with dementia or had a stroke.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) combined with health coaching for 12 months

12 months

5 home visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for falls and other outcomes after the treatment phase

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Home-based exercise program with behavioural change techniques

Trial Overview The study tests if a home-based exercise program with health coaching can reduce falls better than just health education. Participants will either receive balance and strength training exercises with behavioral change techniques or attend an education session.

Participant Groups

Group I: Otago Exercise Program (OEP) Plus Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The OEP+ intervention integrates the OEP with health coaching by a physical therapists or kinesiologist. The OEP is an individualized home-based balance and strength exercise training program delivered by a PT or kinesiologist coach over 5 home visits

Group II: Educational Control Active Control 1 Intervention

All active control participants will be invited to join monthly interactive education sessions via Zoom or in-person.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of British Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

30

Recruited

5,600+