TAIC: student-led exercise for older adults at risk of falling (V5.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
TAIC – Implementation of student-led Otago classes for a falls risk, community dwelling older adult population
IRAS ID
265375
Contact name
David Hegarty
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Glasgow Caledonian University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 15 days
Research summary
The National Records of Scotland population projections show the pension age population increasing by 25% over the next 25 years. Falls are a major cause of hospitalisation in older adults, one in three community dwelling older adults over 65 years of age fall each year. There is a need to explore novel methods of delivering care to a growing older adult population. A programme of exercise called OTAGO has been found to reduce the number of falls for older adults. Several studies have explored the use of students to lead exercise interventions but these have not included assessing the impact to student educational experiences and outcomes with varying degrees of success on patient outcomes and no adverse events.
Research Aim: To examine the feasibility of a student-led exercise intervention in improving falls risk outcomes for community dwelling older adults at risk of falling referred from NHS falls services.
Study Design: A feasibility study examining a single patient group undertaking a 12 week, student-led, OTAGO exercise class for community dwelling older adults at Glasgow Caledonian University. OTAGO consists of progressive strength and balance exercises.
Participants will be screened, invited to consent to the trial, asked to undertake the 12 week intervention and assessed using physical measures before and after the trial and face to face interviews after the trial.
Recruitment will be through the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire community falls teams and the exercise delivery is consistent with usual care, the main difference is the location and student leaders. Students are qualified OTAGO Leaders.
Funding has been received from AGILE the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists professional network working with older adults.
Student educational experiences and outcomes will be assessed over the study period and are included in a separate ethics application to the Glasgow Caledonian University Research Ethics Committee.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1002
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Unfavourable Opinion