Study of the Relationship Between the Strength of Ankle Movement Muscles and Postural Parameters in Elderly Fallers: Towards New Strategies for Screening and Management

NCT03343769 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GREMEAUX DRCI 2009-2
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The quality of life of elderly citizens is to a great extent related to the maintenance of independence. The risk of falling and the loss of autonomy are two frequent problems associated with ageing. Although the impact of falls on functional outcomes and morbi-mortality in the elderly is well-established, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these falls are poorly understood. To better assess the risk of falling, numerous studies have investigated the use of dynamic and static posturography. These studies sought to characterise populations of fallers and non-fallers using parameters from postural analysis. Nonetheless, a new concept may emerge: weakening of the ankle movement muscles may be implicated in the age-related deterioration of posture. Even though it has been shown that this decrease occurs earlier and is more severe in fallers, the direct relationship between the strength of ankle movement muscles and balance parameters in elderly fallers has not yet been established. The existence of such a relationship would make it possible on the one hand to facilitate screening for those with a risk of falling, and on the other hand to enrich our understanding of the pathophysiology of the risk of falling. The perspective would therefore be to propose programmes focused on the strengthening of these deficient muscles.

Conditions

Persons Who Have Experienced a Sudden Uncontrolled Fall in the Absence of Outside Factors in the 6 Months Preceding the Consultation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• The sum of the moments of strength developed by the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles (i.e. combined moment) in both ankles

  Through study completion, an average of 1 month

• Mean total displacement of the Centre of Pressure in millimetres during the different stabilometry recordings.

  Through study completion, an average of 1 month

Study Arms (2)

Patient

Other: BERG scale; Other: Functional tests; Other: Measurement of balance on a force platform; Other: Measurement of maximal moment of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles; Other: Measurement of the moment of the plantar flexors and dorsiflexors corresponding to RMS activity during balance measurements

Control

Other: BERG scale; Other: Functional tests; Other: Measurement of balance on a force platform; Other: Measurement of maximal moment of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles; Other: Measurement of the moment of the plantar flexors and dorsiflexors corresponding to RMS activity during balance measurements

Interventions

BERG scale OTHER

Complete the BERG balance scale

Control; Patient

Functional tests OTHER

timed up and go, Mini motor test, retropulsion test

Control; Patient

Measurement of balance on a force platform OTHER

4 trials of 30 seconds x 2 conditions (eyes open; eyes closed)

Control; Patient

Measurement of maximal moment of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles OTHER

5-second repetitions

Control; Patient

Measurement of the moment of the plantar flexors and dorsiflexors corresponding to RMS activity during balance measurements OTHER

3 10-second repetitions

Control; Patient

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years - 90 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

patients followed at the Pôle de rééducation et de réadaptation

You may qualify if:

• Control group:
• Subjects who have provided written informed consent
• Subjects with national health insurance cover
• Subjects aged between 60 and 90 years old
• Able to understand simple instructions and exercise instructions and to provide informed consent
• with no diseases that could compromise postural abilities and ankle muscle strength.
• Patients group
• Subjects who have provided written informed consent
• Subjects with national health insurance cover
• Subjects aged between 60 and 90 years old
• Able to understand simple instructions and exercise instructions and to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Acute balance disorders (central vestibular syndrome, infection or toxic cause)
• Chronic vestibular disease with proven clinical repercussions
• Any severe neuro-orthopedic disease impairing balance as well as physiological impairments due to ageing Any chronic neurological disorder (stroke, Parkinson syndrome…)
• Any psychiatric disorder able to compromise participation
• Non-corrected vision disorder
• Cancer or any progressive disease
• Treatment with psychotropic agents able to impair vigilance and posture
• Patients under guardianship
• Patients with an ADL score \<3 (total of 6 points), reflecting a clinically obvious high risk of falling

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon: lead

Study Sites (1)

CHU Dijon Bourgogne

Dijon, 21000, France

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Cattagni T, Scaglioni G, Laroche D, Gremeaux V, Martin A. The involvement of ankle muscles in maintaining balance in the upright posture is higher in elderly fallers. Exp Gerontol. 2016 May;77:38-45. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.02.010. Epub 2016 Feb 16.

  PMID: 26899564 RESULT

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 13, 2017
• First Posted: November 17, 2017
• Study Start: March 1, 2011
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2014
• Study Completion: December 1, 2016
• Last Updated: February 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

FR (1)