RecruitingACTRN12612000224820

Pilates: fitness fad or next frontier in falls prevention and bone health? A pilot randomised controlled trial.

A pilot randomised controlled study of older community dwelling individuals at risk of suffering a fall injury, that will determine the impact of physiotherapist delivered Pilates exericse on falls and falls injury risk.

Sponsor

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Strategic Grant Scheme Monash University

Enrollment

80 participants

Start Date

May 18, 2012

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Osteoporosis Osteopenia

Summary

Interest in falls has never been stronger in both Australia and the International community. This interest is strongly fuelled by the knowledge that falls pose a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of older people and contribute to a substantial health-care burden. The primary research questions of this pilot randomised controlled study are: 1. Does physiotherapist delivered Pilates reduce falls in community-dwelling older people? 2. Does physiotherapist delivered Pilates improve standing balance in community-dwelling older people? 3. Does physiotherapist delivered Pilates improve bone mineral density in community-dwelling older people? Our hypothesis is that physiotherapist delivered Pilates will reduce falls by 30% and improve standing balance by 30% and bone mineral density by at least 1.5% in older people identified as being at high risk of falling when compared to standard care.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 60 YearssMax Age: 100 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This pilot study is testing whether Pilates classes led by physiotherapists can reduce falls, improve balance, and improve bone density in older adults who are at high risk of falling. Falls are a major health concern for older Australians. Participants will be randomly assigned to a Pilates exercise group or standard care, and researchers will follow up to measure balance and bone density. Medical clearance from your GP is required. You may be eligible if: - You are 60 years of age or older - You are assessed as being at high risk of a fall-related injury - You can walk up and down 10 stairs on your own without a walking aid - You have GP medical clearance to participate in moderate-intensity exercise You may NOT be eligible if: - You score below 17 on the telephone Mini-Mental State Examination - You already attend Pilates or another formal exercise class for 60 or more minutes per week - You have or recently had a serious acute medical condition - You have had cancer in the past 5 years or are currently receiving cancer treatment - You have an uncontrolled chronic condition that would make exercise unsafe - (For bone density arms): You have had hormone therapy in the past 2 years or recently started bone metabolism medications Talk to your doctor about whether this trial might be right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

Arm 1: The intervention group will receive the Physiotherapist delivered Pilates exercise program. This includes a 60 minute program twice weekly for 12 weeks as well as a 20 minute tailored daily ho

Arm 1: The intervention group will receive the Physiotherapist delivered Pilates exercise program. This includes a 60 minute program twice weekly for 12 weeks as well as a 20 minute tailored daily home exercise program. Arm 2: The intervention group will receive the Physiotherapist delivered Pilates exercise program. This includes a 60 minute program twice weekly for 24 weeks as well as a 20 minute tailored daily home exercise program. The physiotherapist delivered Pilates exercise for both intervention arms will include progressive balance and lower limb strength exercises that utilise Pilates equipment such as a Reformer, Trapeze Table, Wunda Chair and Swiss ball. All exercises will include 5 minutes of warm-up exercises at the start of the session and a 5 minute cool-down at the end of the session. Balance exercises will include standing with a decreased base of support (for example in single leg stance); reaching and extending the limbs forwards and sideways whilst keeping the trunks stable; controlled movements of the body; minimal use of hands for support; sensory challenges with eyes closed, head turns, unstable surfaces; and dual tasking (ball throwing). Lower limb strength exercises will be performed predominantly in standing positions and will involve moving the leg against resistance of the springs in the Pilates equipment. For example, standing and stepping down on the peddle of the Wunda Chair. Participants in both intervention arms will receive standardised falls prevention and bone health advice in the form of a booklet from Osteoporosis Australia "Exercise and Fracture Prevention: A Guide for Consumers". Participants in both intervention arms will be provided information surrounding their balance, falls risk and lower limb strength following the completion of the baseline, 12-week and 24-week physical assessments. Their performance will be compared to age normal values and the areas requiring focus to reduce falls risk will be identified. All participants will be encouraged to discuss these results with the Medical practitioner and any other health professionals involved with their care. The Medical practitioners of participants in both intervention arm's will receive a copy of the 'Falls facts for doctors' that details best practice recommendations and a summary of their patients physical assessment results at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Medical practitioners of participants in Arm 2 will receive a copy of the 24 week DXA results.