The Effects of a Walking Program on Balance, Falls and Well Being in Individuals Residing in Long-term Care
Accidental Falls, Muscle Weakness, Gait, Unsteady
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Accidental Falls focused on measuring Long term care, Aging, Accidental Falls, Muscle Weakness, Gait, Physical Fitness, Muscle Strength, Postural Balance, Activities of Daily Living, Body Weight, Blood Pressure, Depression, Behavior, Dementia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults residing in a long term care facility
- Able to follow simple instructions
- Can ambulate with or without a walking aid for at least 10 meters
- Willing to participate in the study procedures Exclusion Criteria:
Exclusion criteria:
- Cardiovascular event within past 6 months
- Severe arthritis
- Clinical significant vestibular disorder
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Uncontrolled epilepsy
- Fracture within the past 4 months
- Admission into an acute care facility in last 4 months
- Scheduled for surgery or hospitalization in next 6 months
- Already participating in another regular exercise program (three or more times per week) aimed at improving balance or strength
Sites / Locations
- Saskatoon Health Region
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
No Intervention
Active Comparator
Experimental
Usual Care
Interpersonal Interaction
Walking Program
Participants will receive care as usual (Usual Care Group; UCG) that is provided by their long-term care unit.
Participants will receive stationary 1:1 interaction time with the same research personnel who conduct the third group walking session at each individual care facility in order to control for the interpersonal interaction likely to be involved in the walking program. This group will receive the equivalent interpersonal interaction time with research personnel as those participating in the walking group. This interaction time will occur with the participant stationary, rather than walking with the researcher.
Participants will walk five times per week under the supervision of a licensed physiotherapist.