Older Adults, Balance

Falls are a leading cause of injury-related hospitalization among older women. Age-related declines in gait speed and postural stability are known risk-factors for falls. While exercise is well-known to help maintain or improve these losses, only 24.4% of older Canadian women are considered physically active. Dance can act as a fun and social way to engage older women in exercise. Line dancing in particular has been shown to improve gait speed, knee extensor strength and endurance; however high doses are needed to achieve gains. Clifford and colleagues found that program lengths of 24 hours are needed to effect change, while Merome and colleagues recommend 3 hours per week. These high training doses may not be feasible for participants or community centres who offer programming. The time to commute to classes, find parking and caregiver roles at home are all cited as barriers to physical activity. We also propose that BFR could be a novel addition to increase the physiologic strain of online dance classes, which we hypothesize have a lower intensity and thereby lead to less fitness adaptations. Online classes are of interest as they can serve to reduce barriers to physical activity often experienced by older adults in Canada. * We propose online dance classes have reduced efficacy in stimulating adaptations to gait speed, strength and endurance when compared to in-person classes. * We propose blood flow restriction (BFR) as a novel addition to dance classes in order to aid in reaching physiological overload in more efficient time-frame. BFR works by partially reducing blood flowing in and out of working muscles, thereby reducing oxygen availability, promoting anaerobic energy pathways and keeping metabolites in the muscles for a longer time period. Numerous studies have confirmed that when combined with low-intensity exercise BFR is capable of producing similar strength gains as high-intensity exercise. Additionally, BFR is safe and has been widely used among older adults and individuals with various medical conditions, including cardiovascular conditions. While the benefits of BFR for muscle strength and hypertrophy have been greatly studied, there is limited research on its effects on gait and postural stability. Additionally, there is minimal research on potential combinations of BFR with dance-based activity. * This study will examine the differences between online and in-person delivery of 90 minute line dance classes on the postural stability and gait of older females over 10-weeks. * This study will then investigate the effects of combining BFR with 10-weeks of 90 minute line dancing classes for the postural stability and gait of older females. Finally, muscle oxygenation and kinematic analysis will be conducted to help provide insight into any potential changes in gait and postural stability. The intervention will consist of 10-weeks of line dancing classes, during which half the groups will be randomized to wear elasticized BFR bands pulled tight to a 7/10 of perceived pressure. Classes will be once per week for 90 minutes and will include a warm-up, 4 pre-set choreographies and a cool down. Breaks will be provided throughout the class. Assessments will occur at pre, mid and post. Gait will be assessed during a 6-minute walk test. During the test, participants will be filmed from a sagittal view to obtain kinematics. They will also be asked to wear a heart-rate monitor and muscle oxygenation sensors on their lower limbs. Postural stability will be assessed via 30-seconds of quiet standing on force plates in conditions of eyes open, eyes closed and foam. Participants will also be asked to wear an accelerometer on their upper back during the assessment to obtain correlation to force plate data. Functional strength will be assessed using 30-second sit to stand (with a secondary timer to obtain 5 time sit to stand length) and the Calf-Raise Senior test. Dynamic balance and mobility will be evaluated using the Functional Reach Test, and the Timed Up and Go in both single and dual-tasks. Aerobic capacity will be measured using a 3 minute Step Test while the participant wears a heart-rate monitor and muscle oxygenation sensors. Finally scales of fears of falling, social connectedness, and overall mental health will be collected. It is expected that this study will have great practical implications as the accessibility of this program can provide opportunities to older adults from various remote locations to increase their levels of physical activity in a safe manner. The affordability may also aid in adoption by community health and recreation centers as an easy-to-implement program that helps to improve the postural stability and gait of older women, thereby promoting independence and quality of life.

Falls are a common problem in adults within the age of 55-80 years and can lead to injury and loss of independence. This study is testing a new type of balance training using augmented reality (AR). In this intervention, participants will see virtual objects, such as obstacles, placed in their environment and will practice stepping over or moving around them. The system will adjust the difficulty based on each person's performance. Participants will complete training sessions over several weeks. We will measure changes in balance, walking ability, and confidence before and after the program. The goal is to see if this training can help improve balance and reduce the risk of falls in older adults.

The investigators propose a 2-week intervention involving adults over 65 years old. Participants will undergo dynamic balance training on an movable platform (stabilometer) with either restricted or full vision. The primary objective is to facilitate sensory re-weighting, hypothesizing that restricted vision training will increase somatosensory input utilization for postural control. Pre- and post-training assessments will measure postural control during gait initiation under a dual-task condition. The investigators hypothesize that the restricted vision group will demonstrate: 1. Improved postural control, indicated by increased center of pressure displacement during gait initiation. 2. Improved ability to utilize somatosensory input during a balance task.

This single-center interventional study aims to develop and validate a static balance assessment tool tailored for high-functioning older adults. Participants aged 65 years or older, who achieve a perfect score on the Short Physical Performance Battery and can maintain an open-eyes single-leg stance for at least 10 seconds, will be recruited. The assessment includes body composition measurement, open-eyes/closed-eyes single-leg stance, and the Balance Error Scoring System under firm and foam surface conditions. Each participant will undergo two testing sessions, 5-7 days apart, with both on-site and video-based scoring to determine test-retest reliability. The expected outcome is the development of an accurate and highly applicable static balance measurement tool to support healthy aging and fall prevention in community and long-term care settings.

The study compares the impact of physical-cognitive exercises using Blazepod device versus conventional balance training on multiple outcomes in older adults aged 70 and above. Participants receive an 8-week intervention, three sessions per week for both groups. Outcome measures include balance assessments, fear of falling scales, activity of daily living performance, sleep quality questionnaires, reaction time tests, and cognitive assessments. The study aims to determine whether physical-cognitive training provides additional benefits compared to conventional balance exercises.

Population aging is a growing global phenomenon that poses significant challenges to healthcare systems, particularly in preventing falls and managing frailty among older adults. Falls remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population, affecting approximately one-third of individuals over 65 each year. At the same time, frailty syndrome (FS)-a clinical condition marked by progressive decline in physical and cognitive function-significantly increases the risk of falls, disability, and dependency. Pre-frailty, an intermediate and reversible stage, offers a key opportunity for preventive interventions. Scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of interdisciplinary approaches to address frailty and fall prevention. In this context, occupational therapy plays a central role by promoting functional autonomy through meaningful activities. However, traditional approaches may be limited in individuals with low motivation or mild cognitive impairment. Therefore, integrating innovative technologies such as immersive virtual reality (IVR) emerges as a promising therapeutic strategy. IVR enables users to interact with simulated three-dimensional environments, enhancing cognitive stimulation, motor training, and treatment adherence. Modern devices like the Meta Quest 3 headsets provide accessible, safe, and adaptable immersive experiences, with reported benefits in balance, gait, attention, and motivation. Nonetheless, no studies to date have specifically evaluated the effectiveness of this technology when combined with conventional occupational therapy to reduce fall risk and frailty in older adults. This project proposes a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), lasting 5 months, using a single-blind, parallel-group design. It will be conducted at the Bouco Madrid Ferraz Residential Center (Madrid, Spain), following CONSORT 2010 methodological guidelines. The primary aim is to assess the efficacy of a combined intervention using IVR through Meta Quest 3 headsets and occupational therapy, compared to conventional occupational therapy alone, in reducing fall risk, improving frailty status, enhancing quality of life, and increasing rehabilitation motivation in older adults. The sample will include 30 participants (15 per group), selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to a control group (CG), receiving standard occupational therapy, or to an experimental group (EG), receiving a combined intervention of occupational therapy and IVR using the Kinesix XR platform, which is designed to enhance balance. The intervention will last 8 weeks, with two one-hour sessions per week. The experimental group will receive 30 minutes of occupational therapy and 30 minutes of IVR per session. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up using validated scales to measure fall risk, balance, frailty level, quality of life, and satisfaction. Data will be pseudonymized, statistically analyzed using SPSS, and managed in compliance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679). The small sample size reflects the exploratory nature of the study, aimed at assessing feasibility, safety, and preliminary outcomes prior to conducting a larger-scale trial. Ultimately, this project aims to provide initial evidence on an innovative intervention for older adults by integrating digital tools with conventional therapeutic approaches. If proven effective, the VIRTO-FRAIL model could lay the groundwork for new strategies in geriatric rehabilitation and fall prevention.