Physiotherapy Interventions on Functional Capacity, Balance and Mental Domains in Community-Dwell… (NCT07424274) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Physiotherapy Interventions on Functional Capacity, Balance and Mental Domains in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial With Two Parallel Groups
350 participantsStarted 2026-02-15
Plain-language summary
This study will investigate whether two different physiotherapy exercise programs can improve physical function, balance and mental well-being in older adults living in the community in Angola.
A total of 350 people aged 60 years or older will take part in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two supervised exercise programs. One group will participate in a multicomponent exercise program that includes strength, balance, walking and coordination exercises. The second group will participate in a reduced functional exercise program focused on basic strengthening, walking and simple daily activities. Both programs will be performed three times per week, with each session lasting 60 minutes, over a period of 12 weeks.
Participants will be assessed before and after the exercise program. The assessments will include tests of balance, muscle strength, walking ability and questionnaires about daily activities and mental health. Information about falls, blood pressure and general health will also be collected.
The goal of this study is to identify effective and safe physiotherapy strategies to help older adults maintain independence, reduce the risk of falls and support healthy ageing, especially in settings with limited health resources.
Who can participate
Age range
60 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:
Age ≥60 years. Community-dwelling older adults recruited from the Viana Rehabilitation Center and surrounding community in Luanda, Angola.
Able to ambulate independently (with or without assistive devices). Able to understand and follow simple instructions (adequate hearing and cognitive capacity for participation).
Willing and able to attend supervised exercise sessions three times per week for 12 weeks.
Provides written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
Clinically unstable medical conditions (e.g., decompensated heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, acute infection, or other conditions making exercise unsafe).
Recent stroke or other acute neurological event with unstable clinical status. Severe neurodegenerative disease with significant disability (e.g., advanced dementia or severe Parkinson's disease).
Any medical contraindication to moderate-intensity exercise as judged by a physician/clinical team.
Participation in a structured exercise program in the last 3 months.
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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
Dynamic Balance - Four Square Step Test (FSST)
Timeframe: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)