RecruitingACTRN12621001581853

STOP Falls: Effects of Social Interaction on Physical Activity, Quality of Life and Falls in Older Adults

Sponsor

A. Prof. Gert-Jan Pepping

Enrollment

360 participants

Start Date

Dec 3, 2021

Study Type

Observational

Conditions

Accidental Falls

Summary

Accidental falls are a costly public health problem and can result in significant negative implications for the individual, particularly when resulting in injury and hospitalisation. A range of factors are known to influence one’s risk of accidental falls, including age, physical activity, quality of life, fear of falling and social interaction/isolation. In an era of rapid changes in the way we socially interact and/or isolate, this may have important implications for falls risk. Thus, the aim of this observational study is to examine the predictive effect of social interaction, physical activity levels, quality of life and fear of falling on falls incidence in older adults.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 65 Yearss

Inclusion Criteria4

(i) aged over 65 years;
(ii) be free of any significant health conditions that adversely affect their balance or mobility;
(iii) have the ability to walk independently for short time periods, and
(iv) have normal or corrected to normal vision.

Exclusion Criteria1

Participants will be excluded if they have any self-reported signs of cognitive and/or neurological decline.

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Interventions

This observational cohort study will prospectively follow apparently healthy older adult participants over 52 weeks, with questionnaires completed via REDCap at baseline and every 13-weeks (i.e. 4 follow-up timepoints). Completion of the baseline and follow-up questionnaires are expected to take ~30 minutes each. Participants will also complete an ongoing online diary in REDCap over the duration of study participation to record the occurrence and nature of any accidental falls they experience. Completion of the diary is expected to take ~5 minute per fall or when no falls are experienced 5 minutes every 4 weeks. The baseline and 4 follow-up questionnaires will assess constructs of social interaction, physical and mental health, physical activity and fear of falling.