Technology-based Fall Risk Assessments for Older Adults in Low-income Settings

NCT06063187 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: STUDY00002473R03AG069799
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 124
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to examine the associations among fall risk appraisal, body composition, and physical activity in older adults in low-income settings. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• What is the feasibility of recruitment (e.g., how many older adults need to be screened to recruit the sample?), especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and acceptability of technologies and procedures for use among older adults in low-income settings?
• What are the the dynamic relationships between fall risk appraisal, body composition, physical activity, and behavioral changes related to fear of falling? Participants will:
• complete questionnaires about their characteristics, socio-demographic, medical history, cognition, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and fear of falling.
• participate in static and dynamic balance tests, body composition measurement and handgrip strength test.
• wear an accelerometer for physical activity assessment for 7 consecutive days.

Conditions

Fall; Physical Inactivity; Sedentary Behavior

Keywords

accidental falls; body composition; falls; fear; risk assessment; technology; wearable devices

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Feasibility of recruitment of low-income older adults

  The investigators will assess the ability to recruit the participants by tracking the number of days and time spent to recruit the sample.

  Through study completion, an average of 2 years

• Acceptability of using technologies in low-income older adults

  The acceptability of the technologies and procedures will be examined based on an evaluation form (e.g., what the participants thought about the questionnaires and technology) and participants' recommendations.

  Through study completion, an average of 2 years

• Maladaptive fall risk appraisal

  A condition in which there is a discrepancy between perceived fall risk (levels of fear of falling) and physiological fall risk (balance performance). Fear of falling will be assessed using the Short Fall Efficacy Scale International (short FES-I) with 7 items and balance performance will be assessed using the BTrackS Balance test. Maladaptive fall risk will be plotted on a electronic graph as the interaction between balance performance on the X-axis and fear of falling on the Y-axis.

  Once at baseline, an average of 5 minutes

• Time spent in each physical activity intensity domain

  Participants will wear the ActiGraph GT9X Link wireless activity monitor (ActiGraph LLC.), a tri-axial accelerometer, on the non-dominant wrist for 7 consecutive days.This device will assess the time (minutes) spent in light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity domains throughout the 7-day assessment period.

  7 days

• Body Composition

  Body composition will be assessed using a direct segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA): InBody s10 device.

  Once at baseline, an average of 2 minutes

• Balance Performance

  Balance performance will be assessed using the BTrackS Balance test.

  Once at baseline, an average of 4 minutes

• Fear of Falling

  Fear of falling will be assessed using the Short Fall Efficacy Scale International (short FES-I) with 7 items.The minimum score possible is 7 and the maximum possible score is 28. Scores of 7-8 indicate "low concern," scores of 9-13 indicate "moderate concern," and scores of 14-28 indicate "high concern."

  Once at baseline, an average of 10 minutes

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Depression

  Once at baseline, an average of 10 minutes

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

Community sample

You may qualify if:

• ≥ 60 years of age
• no marked cognitive impairment \[Memory Impairment Screen (MIS) score ≥5\]
• speak English or Spanish
• live in Kinneret Sr. Apartments or in Orlando FL.

You may not qualify if:

• a medical condition precluding balance test (e.g., unable to stand on the balance plate) and/or PA (e.g., shortness of breath; feeling pressure when performing PA)
• currently receiving treatment from a rehabilitation facility
• have a metal implant.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Central Florida: lead
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida, 32816, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Thiamwong L, Stout JR, Park JH, Yan X. Technology-Based Fall Risk Assessments for Older Adults in Low-Income Settings: Protocol for a Cross-sectional Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2021 Apr 7;10(4):e27381. doi: 10.2196/27381.

  PMID: 33825688 BACKGROUND

• Choudhury R, Park JH, Thiamwong L, Xie R, Stout JR. Objectively Measured Physical Activity Levels and Associated Factors in Older US Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study. JMIR Aging. 2022 Aug 22;5(3):e38172. doi: 10.2196/38172.

  PMID: 35994346 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Ladda Thiamwong, PhD, RN

  University of Central Florida

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 7, 2023
• First Posted: October 2, 2023
• Study Start: September 30, 2020
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2022
• Study Completion: July 1, 2023
• Last Updated: October 2, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)