An Innovative Gait Training Program in Immersive Virtual Reality for Healthy Older Adults

NCT ID: NCT05915130

Last Updated: 2023-06-23

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-07-01
• Study Completion Date: 2024-10-31

Brief Summary

Background Impaired gait adaptability is one of the major causes of falls among older adults by producing inappropriate gait adjustments in cluttered environments. Training programs designed to improve gait adaptability behavior in a systemic approach may prevent falls in older adults. Recently, the technology of virtual reality has appeared as a relevant gait training tool based on its training implementation potential. The present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of a virtual reality gait training program (VR group) for improving gait adaptability behavior and thus, reducing the risk of falls relative to a conventional training program of Nordic walkway (NW group). We hypothesize that the virtual reality gait training program will lead to greater gait adaptability improvements.

Methods The protocol describes a randomized controlled trial with pre-tests, post-tests, retention tests and follow-up. Forty healthy independent living community dweller participants (65-80 years) will be allocated, after a general medical examination, to the VR or the NW group for a training program of six weeks. Primary outcome related to gait adaptability capacities and acceptance of the virtual reality device will be assessed in pre- and post-intervention and one month after the completion of the training program (retention). A follow-up will be done during the 12 months after the completion of the gait training program.

Discussion This study will demonstrate the relative relevance of a gait training program in virtual reality versus a conventional one for improving gait adaptability behavior in healthy older adults and thus preventing falls.

Conditions

Fall; Elderly

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Virtual reality training program

In the VR group, participants will practice the training sessions in an experimental room. In one training session, participants will negotiate 60 trials. Participants will practice gait training sessions in a fully immersive virtual reality. They will negotiate virtual obstacles such as avoiding a rock or crossing over a tree root, thus improving their gait adaptability capacities.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Gait training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

They will negotiate (natural or virtual) obstacles such as avoiding a rock or crossing over a tree root, thus improving their gait adaptability capacities.

Nordic walking training program

Participants will be instructed to walk with poles continuously around the park. Each training session will consist of a warm-up (10 min), main exercise (40 min), and cool-down (5 min) periods. Participants will adapt their locomotion to uneven terrain. They will negotiate natural obstacles such as avoiding a rock or crossing over a tree root, thus improving their gait adaptability capacities.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Gait training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

They will negotiate (natural or virtual) obstacles such as avoiding a rock or crossing over a tree root, thus improving their gait adaptability capacities.

Interventions

Gait training

They will negotiate (natural or virtual) obstacles such as avoiding a rock or crossing over a tree root, thus improving their gait adaptability capacities.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• aged between 65 and 80
• with weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity

Exclusion Criteria

• inability to practice activity at a moderate or vigorous intensity
• moderate or severe cognitive impairments
• severe non-corrected visual impairments
• uncontrolled psychiatric disorders

• Minimum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 80 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Aix Marseille Université

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Lisa Delbes

Principal investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Institute of Movement Sciences

Marseille, , France

Countries

France

Facility Contacts

Lisa DELBES, PhD

Role: primary

lisa.delbes@univ-amu.fr

+33 610579276

Other Identifiers

GTPVR

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id