Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36803459›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2023

Evaluation of a novel technology-supported fall prevention intervention - study protocol of a multi-centre randomised controlled trial in older adults at increased risk of falls.

Tobias Morat, Melina Snyders, Philipp Kroeber, Alice De Luca, Valentina Squeri, Martin Hochheim, Philipp Ramm, Annika Breitkopf, Michael Hollmann, Wiebren Zijlstra

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Observational
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Tobias MoratInstitute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University (GSU) Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. t.morat@dshs-koeln.de.ORCID 0000-0002-7101-7040
Melina SnydersInstitute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University (GSU) Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany.
Philipp KroeberInstitute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University (GSU) Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany.
Alice De LucaMovendo Technology (MT), Calata Cattaneo 15, 16128, Genoa, Italy.
Valentina SqueriMovendo Technology (MT), Calata Cattaneo 15, 16128, Genoa, Italy.
Martin HochheimGenerali Health Solutions GmbH (GHS), Hansaring 40-50, 50670, Cologne, Germany.
Philipp RammGenerali Health Solutions GmbH (GHS), Hansaring 40-50, 50670, Cologne, Germany.
Annika BreitkopfFPZ GmbH, Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 88a, 50968, Cologne, Germany.
Michael HollmannFPZ GmbH, Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 88a, 50968, Cologne, Germany.
Wiebren ZijlstraInstitute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University (GSU) Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIncreasing number of falls and fall-related injuries in an aging society give rise to the need for effective fall prevention and rehabilitation strategies. Besides traditional exercise approaches, new technologies show promising options for fall prevention in older adults. As a new technology-based approach, the hunova robot can support fall prevention in older adults. The objective of this study is to implement and evaluate a novel technology-supported fall prevention intervention using the hunova robot compared to an inactive control group. The presented protocol aims at introducing a two-armed, multi-centre (four sites) randomised controlled trial, evaluating the effects of this new approach on the number of falls and number of fallers as primary outcomes.

methodsThe full clinical trial incorporates community-dwelling older adults at risk of falls with a minimum age of 65 years. Including a one-year follow-up measurement, all participants are tested four times. The training programme for the intervention group comprises 24-32 weeks in which training sessions are scheduled mostly twice a week; the first 24 training sessions use the hunova robot, these are followed by a home-based programme of 24 training sessions. Fall-related risk factors as secondary endpoints are measured using the hunova robot. For this purpose, the hunova robot measures the participants' performance in several dimensions. The test outcomes are input for the calculation of an overall score which indicates the fall risk. The hunova-based measurements are accompanied by the timed-up-and-go test as a standard test within fall prevention studies. DISCUSSION: This study is expected to lead to new insights which may help establish a new approach to fall prevention training for older adults at risk of falls. First positive results on risk factors can be expected after the first 24 training sessions using the hunova robot. As primary outcomes, the number of falls and fallers within the study (including the one-year follow-up period) are the most relevant parameters that should be positively influenced by our new approach to fall prevention. After the study completion, approaches to examine the cost-effectiveness and develop an implementation plan are relevant aspects for further steps.

trial registrationGerman Clinical Trial Register (DRKS), ID: DRKS00025897. Prospectively registered 16 August 2021, https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00025897 .

Indexed as

Accidental FallsExercise TherapyAgedExerciseHumansMulticenter Studies as TopicPostural BalanceRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTime and Motion StudiesFall preventionRandomised controlled trialRCTRobot deviceTechnology-based

Identifiers

PMID36803459
PMCPMC9938567

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.