Evaluating the Effectiveness of Video-based Apps in Healthcare

NCT07434570 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REB24-1450
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to understand the effectiveness of a novel video-feedback based mobile application that teaches walking aid skills to current or anticipated walking aid users. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. 1.Does this app improve balance confidence in walking aid users, as compared to a sham app?
2. 2.Does this app improve clinically relevant outcomes in walking aid users, as compared to a sham app?

Conditions

Mobility Impairments; Walking Aid Users

Keywords

walking aid; crutch; cane; walker; mobile application; learning; teaching

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale

  The ABC is a 16-item self-reported questionnaire. Items involve tasks that may challenge balance. For each item, the individual rates their confidence in performing the task without losing their balance from 0% (not confident) to 100% (completely confident). The total score ranges from 0% (not confident) to 100% (completely confident). Higher scores mean a better outcome.

  Will be obtained during data collection for all 3 timepoints (T1: baseline, T2: T1 + 4-6 days, T3: T1 + 26-30 days).

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Self-reported confidence in 4 skill domains (walking aid fitting, assisted gait with a walking aid, deep breathing for stress relief, and safely turning in bed)

  At all 3 data collections sessions. (T1: Baseline; T2: Baseline + 4-6 days, T3: Baseline + 26-30 days)

• Self-reported knowledge in 4 skill domains (walking aid fitting, assisted gait with a walking aid, deep breathing for stress relief, and safely turning in bed)

  At all 3 data collections sessions. (T1: Baseline; T2: Baseline + 4-6 days, T3: Baseline + 26-30 days)

• Self-reported comfort with 4 skill domains (walking aid fitting, assisted gait with a walking aid, deep breathing for stress relief, and safely turning in bed)

  At all 3 data collections sessions. (T1: Baseline; T2: Baseline + 4-6 days, T3: Baseline + 26-30 days)

• Objective knowledge: Multiple-choice knowledge test

  At all 3 data collection sessions. (T1: Baseline; T2: Baseline + 4-6 days, T3: Baseline + 26-30 days)

• Upper limb pain: Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

  At all data collection sessions. (T1: Baseline; T2: Baseline + 4-6 days; T3: Baseline + 26-30 days)

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will use a video feedback-based app to learn how to correctly fit and walk with their usual gait aid.

Device: Walking Aid Skills App

Control Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants will use an attentional control app (same interface as the interventional app) to learn how to breathe deeply to reduce stress and how to turn in bed safely from back-to-side.

Device: Attentional Control

Interventions

Walking Aid Skills App DEVICE

Participants will use a video feedback-based app to learn how to correctly fit and walk with their usual gait aid.

Intervention Group

Attentional Control DEVICE

Participants will use an attentional control app (same interface as the interventional app) to learn how to breathe deeply to reduce stress and how to turn in bed safely from back-to-side.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 99 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Between the ages of 6 and 99
• Currently using a walker, crutch(es), or cane(s) ≥ 5 days/week, OR will be expecting to use such a walking aid for ≥ 7 days in a row (for those undergoing planned surgery)

You may not qualify if:

• Self-identify as being unable to comfortably communicate in English
• Self-identify as having a significant visual impairment that would affect their ability to use an app that involves watching videos
• Self-identify as using a wheelchair, walking poles, or a knee scooter for ≥ 75% of the time for mobility

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Calgary: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Calgary Foothills

Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 6, 2026
• First Posted: February 25, 2026
• Study Start: December 12, 2024
• Primary Completion: July 29, 2025
• Study Completion: July 29, 2025
• Last Updated: February 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

CA (1)