RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Exercise Engagement in People Over 60 at Risk of Falls

If you're over 60 and have been told you're at risk of falling, this study wants to hear from you. We know that falls are common as we get older and can lead to injuries and a loss of confidence. Exercise can really help reduce the chance of falling, but many people don't do home exercises. This study involves a friendly chat (interview) about your experiences with falls, what helps you exercise, and what makes it difficult. Your views will help us understand why people do or don't exercise, so we can develop better ways to support older people in staying active and preventing falls.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Enrolment target

Start

26 Jan 2024

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2024

Musculoskeletal Injury Frailty Physical Inactivity Health Behavior

What is this study about?

This study is looking into why people over the age of 60, who have been identified as being at risk of falls, choose to do exercises at home or not. We know that falls can be a big problem for older people, sometimes leading to injuries like broken bones, and can also make people feel less confident about moving around. Locally, we see more hip fractures than elsewhere, and these often need physiotherapy.

While research clearly shows that exercises can help improve strength and balance, and reduce the risk of falls by about 25% for people over 60, many older people don't regularly do home exercises. We want to understand what makes it easier or harder for people like you to keep up with these exercises. This includes looking at things like what kind of exercise information you prefer (like leaflets or online videos), how easy it is to talk to health professionals about your fall risk, and whether everyone has the same opportunities to exercise.

By having friendly chats with people like you, we hope to get a clearer picture of your experience. Your ideas and opinions will help us improve the way we support older people to stay active, keep their balance, and hopefully prevent falls. This will also help us create better plans for managing falls both within and outside health services.

Key takeaways

The study aims to understand why people over 60 at risk of falling do or don't exercise at home.
It involves a friendly interview about your experiences, not physical exercise.
Your feedback will help improve fall prevention support and services.
Taking part is voluntary and won't affect your current medical care.
The study is for people aged 60 and over, whose fall risk is due to muscle/balance issues, not other medical problems.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people who are 60 years old or older. You would need to have been told you're at risk of falling, perhaps because you feel unsteady, have had a fall in the last six months, or a healthcare professional has noticed you're a bit wobbly when you walk. This risk of falling should be due to things like pain, muscle weakness, or balance issues, rather than other medical problems like dizziness or heart conditions.

It's important that you are able to understand what the study involves and can give your permission to take part. You'll also need to be able to communicate in English, either by yourself or with the help of a translation service, so you can join in an interview, which can be in person or online.

Unfortunately, if you are under 60, or if your risk of falling is due to a different medical condition that is being investigated (like problems with your heart or sight), you wouldn't be able to join this particular study. Also, if you have memory problems that would make it difficult to understand the study and give your consent, you wouldn't be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 60 years old or older?
Have you been told you're at risk of falling, or had a fall in the last six months due to muscle/balance issues?
Can you understand what the study is about and agree to take part?
Can you chat in English, by yourself or with a translator if needed?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the main thing you'll do is have a friendly chat, called a semi-structured interview, with the researcher. This chat will be about your experiences with falls, what helps you exercise at home, and what makes it difficult. It's expected to take a certain amount of time, but the study doesn't say exactly how long each interview will last.

Before the interview, you'll receive some information about the study and a consent form. The researcher will contact you within two weeks to see if you still want to take part and can help you with the consent form over the phone or in person if needed. You'll have plenty of chances to ask questions before you start.

There are no medications involved, and no specific follow-up appointments mentioned after your interview. The study plans to gather information from people over about 12 months in total, from starting to recruit people to looking at all the findings.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study offers the chance to share your experiences and ideas, which could directly help improve how healthcare services support older people to prevent falls. Your input could make a real difference to future care. There are very few risks involved, as the study mainly involves talking about your experiences. Your information will be kept private and handled with care. You are absolutely free to decide not to take part at any point, without giving a reason, and without it affecting any other medical care you receive. Your decision will always be respected.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Verified postcode
Blackburn, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What exactly is a 'fall risk'?

A 'fall risk' means you might be more likely to fall. This could be because you feel unsteady, have fallen once or more in the last six months, or a doctor or physiotherapist has noticed you walk a bit unsteadily.

What kind of exercises are they talking about?

They're interested in balance and strength exercises you can do at home, like chair exercises or personalised routines from a physiotherapist. They want to know what you like or dislike about them.

Will I have to do any exercises for the study?

No, you won't have to do any exercises as part of this study. It's all about talking about your past experiences and opinions on exercise.

How long will the interview take?

The study doesn't state an exact time for the interviews, but they are described as 'semi-structured', meaning they will be a friendly chat about your experiences.

What if English isn't my first language?

If you need a translator, one can be provided to help you communicate during the interview, as long as you're able to understand and participate.

How to find out more

Michelle Thirlwall

michelle.thirlwall@elht.nhs.uk 01706 235398 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.