Clinical Research Directory

Comparative Effects of Cawthrone Cooksey Exercises and Frankle's Exercises on Improving Balance and Quality of Life in Geriatrics Population

Geriatrics are one of the most vulnerable groups in any community, as they are at risk for poor balance, falls, injuries, a decline in their independence and quality of life and early mortality. The goal of the study was to examine the effects of Frankel's exercise and Cawthrone and Cooksey exercises (CCE) on balance and quality of life in older adults, given the importance of balance in performing ADLs and its impact on quality of life. The geriatric population was the subject of a randomized clinical trial. Twenty-six individuals 50 years of age and older who were enrolled at the Madinah Teaching Hospital and the old age home took part in this clinical trial investigation. They were split into two groups using a random number generator (13 in the Caw Throne Cooksey exercise group and 13 in the Frankel's group). The balance disorder questionnaire was used for screening. One group engaged in three 60-minute Caw throne Cooksey exercise sessions every week for two month. The other group was exercise their frankel's three times a week at the same period. The participants' quality of life was assessed using the SF36, Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Berg balance test both before and after the two-month intervention. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Every research subject was provided both written and verbal informed consent.

Improvement Through Movement - Balance Control and Somatosensory Function in People With Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

This study focuses on improving balance control and somatosensory functions in individuals aged 60 years and older with diabetes mellitus tyoe 2 (DMT2). Older adults with DMT2 are at an increased risk of balance problems due to diabetic complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and possibly reduced vestibular function. The aim of the study is to investigate whether a 12-week exercise program, with or without additional balance exercises, can improve balance control, enhance somatosensory functions (such as touch and vibration thresholds), and positively impact diabetes-related parameters, including HbA1c levels. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants are selected based on reduced balance control identified in a prior cross-sectional study. The intervention group follows an exercise program in accordance with international guidelines, supplemented with balance exercises supervised by the researcher (physiotherapist). The control group follows the same guidelines but without balance exercises; instead, they perform relaxation exercises. Balance control is assessed both statically and dynamically, while somatosensory functions are measured, and diabetes-related parameters are collected. The intervention is primarily home-based, supported by an activity tracker, but the balance or relaxation exercises are conducted under supervision at a designated location. This study aims to contribute to the quality of life of older adults with DMT2 by reducing balance problems and fall risks.

Balance4Mobility: Effects of Walkasins Use in Individuals With Peripheral Neuropathy and Balance Problems

The goal of this clinical trial is to is to test whether Walkasins can help people with peripheral neuropathy maintain their balance better. The main question it aims to answer is whether participants who use Walkasins on an everyday basis over a six-month period will report better awareness of their foot placement on the ground. Researchers will compare Walkasins users to a control group of participants who are not using Walkasins to see if the device improves the users' performance on some standing and walking tests. Control group participants will get Walkasins after six months of being in the study. During the study participants will be asked to do the following: * Answer questions about their medical history and balance. * Do some standing and walking tests. Some of the tests will be timed. * Attend study visits and participate in study phone calls. * Keep track of any falls and notify study staff if they fall. * Wear the Walkasins device on a regular basis.

Effects of Breathing Exercises on Cognition in Older Adults

The goal of this interventional clinical trial is to investigate the effects of breathing exercises added to balance training on cognitive function in individuals aged 65 years and older. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do breathing exercises affect cognition? Do different breathing exercises affect cognition in different ways? Researchers will administer two different breathing protocols and evaluate cognition before and after each protocol. Participants will take part in an 8-week program consisting of sessions that include 30 minutes of balance-based exercises and 15 minutes of breathing exercises. Sessions will be held twice weekly under the supervision of a physical therapist.

Effects of Telerehabilitation-Based Dual-Task Exercises on Balance, Fall Risk, Cognitive Function, and Sleep Quality in Geriatric Individuals

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dual-task exercises-which simultaneously target cognitive and motor functions-delivered via telerehabilitation on fall risk, balance, cognitive functions, and sleep quality in geriatric individuals.Aging is often associated with balance disorders, increased fall risk, cognitive decline, and impaired sleep quality, all of which significantly impact the quality of life in the elderly. Dual-task interventions require individuals to perform physical and cognitive tasks concurrently, aiming to improve sensorimotor control and enhance balance strategies under cognitive load.This study utilizes telerehabilitation as a cost-effective and sustainable solution to facilitate access to healthcare services, providing a remote alternative to face-to-face rehabilitation. The research aims to demonstrate that dual-task exercises performed through telerehabilitation can contribute to functional recovery, reduce the fear of falling, and increase the safe mobility capacity of geriatric individuals.

COMMUNITY-BASED POWER TRAINING IN FALLER AND NON-FALLER OLDER ADULTS: A FEASIBILITY AND FALL RISK STUDY.

Aging leads to substantial alterations in the nervous and skeletal muscle systems that ultimately lead to a reduction in "neural drive" and motor performance. While maximal strength starts declining as early as 50 years of age, aging brings even greater reductions in rate of force development and muscle power, that has been shown to be a stronger predictor of functional independence and balance impairments. Falls are a major health concern as one third of adults over 65 years loses balance and falls every year, and based on a published report, the estimated health care costs associated with falls in the European Union is €25 billion. The ability to recover balance declines with aging, where older individuals often recover balance with a greater number of balance recovery steps and non-optimal stepping strategies. In addition, older adults have more difficulty recovering balance in the medio-lateral direction. The hip abductors are fundamental in controlling the motion of the body centre of mass in this direction during weight transfers of standing, stepping, and walking. Furthermore, these muscles appear to be more susceptible to age-related composition and performance declines than other muscles of the lower limbs, especially in individuals at a higher risk for falls. Unfortunately, common balance interventions, such as, functional balance training, Tai-Chi, or dance, have a very limited capacity to reduce the risk of falls in older adults. Interestingly, resistance training is relatively better than the mentioned interventions at reducing this problem. This may come about through mitigating the agerelated neuromuscular performance deficits. However, traditional resistance training lacks the emphasis in high velocity movements required for adequate fall prevention protective stepping strategies. Muscle power training is a safe and effective alternative to traditional resistance training. By emphasizing in maximum speed of execution, its results are often better than with traditional resistance training, especially in functional outcomes, with the potential to enhance balance recovery. However, there is little and inconsistent evidence on the optimal exercise parameters (such as velocity) for prevention of falls. Community-based multi-component exercise programs are often used to promote health and functional benefits in the older adult population. These programs not only have a positive impact in a larger number of communitydwelling individuals, but can also lead to significant improvements. Nonetheless, these programs limited in reducing the risk for falls. Considering the robust effects of muscle power training in the older population, it is conceivable that a multi-component community-based exercise intervention, that focuses on developing muscle power and reduce fall risk, can improve the older individuals' ability to recover balance and consequently, bring greater benefits to the older adult community. However, there is no information on the feasibility of conducting an exercise program to develop muscle power and reduce fall risk in a community-based setting. Furthermore, it is generally unknown if such an exercise intervention can improve function, balance, and reduce the occurrence of falls in older adults especially, among those that have fallen in the past- which are the most relevant target population for both clinical studies and practice.

Validity - Reliability of Berg Balance Scale in Albanian Population

Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and Reliability of Berg Balance Scale in Albanian population