Skill acquisition in falls prevention (version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Better Balance: a pilot study investigating application of skill acquisition paradigms to enhance falls prevention strategies in clinical settings.
IRAS ID
350777
Contact name
Vicky Gottwald
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bangor University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Falls prevention is a global public health concern, compounded by a rising demographic of older adults and increased prevalence of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and frailty (NICE, 2019). Associated falls prevention strategies typically target strength and balance via structured exercise interventions. This is based on the notion that protocols such as Falls Management Exercise (e.g., FaME) can enhance physical functioning and lead to a reduction in falls (e.g., Skelton et al., 2005). Whilst clinical trials provide support for FaME (e.g., Skelton et al., 2005), when tested outside of research settings, evidence suggests limited retention after 6-months (Orton et al., 2021).
Balance control requires rapid changes in the base of support associated with stepping, a support strategy often used to proactively avoid falling (Okubo et al., 2017). Compensatory step training interventions that focus on the execution of rapid and well directed steps may play a valuable role in enhancing falls prevention interventions (e.g., Van Liew et al., 2019). Furthermore, previous falls-based interventions have arguably neglected to consider how motor-learning paradigms might be applied in this context to enhance the efficacy of interventions (e.g., Sattelmayer et al., 2016; Wulf et al., 2010). For example, there is a wealth of evidence demonstrating the benefits of what is commonly termed variable practice schedules (Douvis et al., 2005; Shea & Kohl, 1990) on skill learning.
The current challenge presents a complex social phenomenon that requires a comprehensive analysis of end-user perspectives; contextual understanding surpassing what can be understood from quantitative methods alone. Hence, the present project incorporates two parts: (1) an experimental paradigm to determine whether interventions that incorporate principles of variable practice can enhance safe-stepping strategies that are likely to reduce clinical risk of falls; and (2) a qualitative phase, to provide patients an opportunity to contribute to protocol refinement via small-group focus groups.REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0110
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion