Dr Yoshiro Okubo

ReacStep – strength and step training to prevent falls in older adults

The ReacStep study is investigating the short-term effects of strength and step training programs on trip and slip responses in older adults. These programs are designed from evidence-based research and offer a challenging and unique experience to improving balance.

The ReacStep team are calling on volunteers aged 65 years and over who:

• are living independently in the community
• can walk 50 meters without a mobility aid or resting
• have NO diagnosed neurological diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia, etc.)
• have NO existing conditions that prevent exercise (e.g. severe pain, fatigue, exercise intolerance, heel ulcers, etc.)
• have NOT been advised by a medical practitioner against exercise
• have NO history of lower limb, pelvis or vertebral fracture(s) or joint replacement(s) in the past 6 months
• are NOT currently participating in any other falls prevention research studies

Eligible volunteers will be subjected to attend at least two laboratory sessions in Randwick (i.e. once at baseline and again after 9 weeks) comprised of physical and cognitive assessments before they are randomly allocated into one of two groups. Both groups will be instructed by an exercise physiologist to complete a home-based strength training program, twice a week for 6 weeks. Only one group will also be invited back to NeuRA to complete a ReacStep training program, once a week (45mins) for 6 weeks.

For more information, watch the video below or read the Participant Information Statement.

To get involved or to register your interest, click the button below.

For all other queries, contact the ReacStep team on 02 9399 1255 or reacstep-study@neura.edu.au. HC210350

SafeTrip – step training to reduce falls in older adults

WE ARE NO LONGER RECRUITING FOR THIS STUDY 

The Falls, Balance & Injury Research Centre are looking for volunteers for other studies like the ReacStep Study

The SafeTrip study is investigating how older adults learn protective stepping skills to avoid falls when encountering trips and slips. With NeuRA’s cutting-edge motion capture system and other wearable devices, we will be able to observe and analyse movement and muscle activity during reactive or proactive step training.

The SafeTrip team are looking for volunteers aged 65 years and over who:

• have not been advised by a medical practitioner to not exercise
• have no existing conditions that may prevent them from exercising (e.g. severe pain, heel ulcers, exercise intolerance, fatigue, etc.)
• have no neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, etc.)
• have no history of lower limb, pelvis or vertebral fracture(s) or joint replacement(s) in the past 6 months
• can walk 500m comfortably without mobility aids or rest
• are active (i.e. exercising for at least 60mins/week) and living independently in the Sydney metropolitan community
• are not currently participating in any other falls prevention research studies

Eligible volunteers will be invited to NeuRA for some baseline assessments before being randomly allocated to either the intervention or control group. Only the intervention group will undertake the reactive balance training (i.e. 3 weekly training sessions followed by 3-monthly retraining sessions). All participants will receive a fall prevention information booklet and will be invited back for a 12-month re-assessment.

Register your interest or contact the SafeTrip team on 02 9399 1067 or safetrip-study@neura.edu.au for more information. HC190952

SAFE-PD (Stepping to avoid falls events in people with Parkinson’s disease)

A randomised controlled trial to reduce the risk of falling in people with Parkinson’s disease.

View the clinical trial page for more information and to express interest in volunteering for the study.