Aging and Task-specific Training to Reduce Falls (NCT07094659) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingPhase 1/2
Aging and Task-specific Training to Reduce Falls
United States315 participantsStarted 2026-08-15
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of a novel task-specific balance training for reducing environmental falls in community ambulatory older adults who are at-risk of falling. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does task-specific balance training improve the ability to prevent falling when unexpected perturbations such as slips and trips occur, and/or improve balance control during self-initiated movements?
* Does task-specific balance training reduce real-life falls for 18 months after training?
Researchers will compare task-specific balance training with conventional balance training and treadmill perturbation-based training to examine how this novel intervention compares to established interventions for improving balance.
Participants who participate in the study will be asked to do the following:
* Complete a pre-training assessment of their balance control, and then be randomized to one of three training groups: 1) task-specific balance training, 2) treadmill perturbation-based training, and 3) conventional balance training
* Complete their assigned training protocol for 8 weeks (2x per week for a total of 16 sessions)
* Complete 2 post-training assessments of their balance control, the first being completed immediately after the training is completed, and the second being completed 18 months after the training is completed
* Wear a physical activity monitor for 18 months after completing the intervention to monitor their real life falls.
Who can participate
Age range
60 Years – 90 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 60 to 90 years of age to include community dwelling older adults
* Understand English to ensure ability to safely complete study protocols
* Able to walk independently for 1 block and 10 meters without an assistive device to ensure ability to complete exercises and reactive balance assessments
* 'At-risk' adults: Participants who report experience of at least 1 fall in the past 12 months or participants who are categorized as at high fall- risk using our fall risk prediction model which can predict the risk of both slip and trip related falls.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Major surgery less than 6 months ago to avoid complications due to training
* Hospitalization less than 3 months ago to avoid complications due to training
* Taking any sedative drugs to avoid interference with training
* Acute or uncontrolled neurological or cardiopulmonary or musculoskeletal or cancer diagnosis to avoid complications due to training
* Have intact visual and auditory ability with or without corrective aids to avoid confounding effects on balance
* Severe osteoporosis measured by a score of less than negative two point five on heel bone density scan to avoid complications due to training
* Loss of sensation on monofilament test to avoid confounding effects on outcome assessments
* Cognitive impairment indicated by a score of less than 25 out of 30 on the mini mental state exam to ensure ability to follow instructions for safety
* Shortness of breath or uncontrolled pain hig…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Reactive Stability
Timeframe: Immediately post and at 18 months
2
Vertical Limb support
Timeframe: Immediately post and at 18 months
3
Laboratory falls
Timeframe: Immediately post and at 18 months
4
Functional Gait Assessment
Timeframe: Baseline, Immediately post and at 18 months
5
Real-life falls
Timeframe: Recorded retrospectively (12 months before training) and weekly for 18 months post-training