Effect of cognitive-only and cognitive-motor training on preventing falls in community-dwelling older people: protocol for the smart±step randomised controlled trial

Daina L Sturnieks; Jasmine Menant; Michael Valenzuela; Kim Delbaere; Catherine Sherringon; Robert D Herbert; Amit Lampit; Kathryn Broadhouse; Jessica Turner; Daniel Schoene; Stephen R Lord

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029409

Back

Effect of cognitive-only and cognitive-motor training on preventing falls in community-dwelling older people: protocol for the smart±step randomised controlled trial

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Effect of cognitive-only and cognitive-motor training on preventing falls in community-dwelling older people: protocol for the smart±step randomised controlled trial

Daina L Sturnieks, Jasmine Menant, Michael Valenzuela, Kim Delbaere, Catherine Sherringon, Robert D Herbert, Amit Lampit, Kathryn Broadhouse, Jessica Turner, Daniel Schoene, …

BMJ Open, Vol.9(8), e029409

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029409

Files and links (2)

pdf

PDF - Published Version (Open Access)1.09 MBDownload View

Published VersionPDF - Published Version (Open Access)CC BY-NC V4.0, Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029409View

Published Version

Abstract

Background Physical and cognitive impairments are important risk factors for falls in older people. However, no studies have been adequately powered to examine whether cognitive or cognitive-motor training can prevent falls in older people. This is despite good evidence of improvements in fall-related cognitive and physical functions following both intervention types. This manuscript describes the study protocol for a three-arm randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of home-based cognitive and cognitive-motor training interventions, compared to a minimal-intervention control group, in preventing falls in older people. This trial was prospectively registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, number ACTRN12616001325493. Methods and analysis Community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and over, residing in Sydney Australia, will be recruited. Participants (n=750) will be randomly allocated to (1) cognitive-only training, (2) cognitive-motor training or (3) control groups. Both training interventions involve the use of the smart±step home-based computerised game playing system for a recommended 120 min/week for 12 months. Cognitive training group participants will use a desktop electronic touch pad to play games with the smart±step system while seated and using both hands. The cognitive-motor training group participants will use a wireless electronic floor step mat that requires accurate stepping using both legs for playing the same smart±step games, hence incorporating balance exercises. All groups will receive an education booklet on fall prevention. The primary outcome will be rate of falls, reported by monthly diaries during the 12-month duration of the study and analysis will be by intention-to-treat. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of fallers, physical and cognitive performance in 300 participants, and brain structure and function in 105 participants who will undertake MRI scans at baseline and 6 months. Cost-effectiveness will be determined using intervention and health service costs.

Details

Title: Effect of cognitive-only and cognitive-motor training on preventing falls in community-dwelling older people: protocol for the smart±step randomised controlled trial
Authors: Daina L Sturnieks (Author) - University of New South Wales
Jasmine Menant (Author) - University of New South Wales
Michael Valenzuela (Author) - University of Sydney
Kim Delbaere (Author) - University of New South Wales
Catherine Sherringon (Author) - University of Sydney
Robert D Herbert (Author) - University of New South Wales
Amit Lampit (Author) - University of Melbourne
Kathryn Broadhouse (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Jessica Turner (Author) - Neuroscience Research Australia
Daniel Schoene (Author) - Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg University Library Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
Stephen R Lord (Author) - University of New South Wales
Publication details: BMJ Open, Vol.9(8), e029409; 11
Publisher: B M J Group
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029409
ISSN: 2044-6055
Copyright note: Copyright © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019.This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; School of Health - Nursing; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451489902621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

69 File views/ downloads

163 Record Views

14 Times Cited - Web of Science

See more details

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Geriatrics & Gerontology

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites