Effect of Nervous System Mobilization on Older Adults’ Postural Control

Overview

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of nervous system mobilization and exercise with exercise only on institutionalized older adults' postural control.

Full Title of Study: “Effect of Nervous System Mobilization on Older Adults’ Postural Control”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Treatment
    • Masking: Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: December 15, 2018

Detailed Description

It is anticipated that 26 institutionalized older adults will be randomly allocated to receive either exercise and neural mobilization (n=13) or exercise only (n=13). Data on pain intensity (a vertical numeric rating scale) and location (body chart), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), balance, hand grip strength, timed up and go and gait velocity will be collected at baseline, end of treatment and at 3 months follow up. Statistical analysis will be performed using a mixed-methods ANOVA.

Interventions

  • Other: Exercise
    • The exercise program will consist of: 1) warm up – consisting of stretches of large muscle groups of the upper limbs, lower limbs and trunk and by general mobility exercises; 2) strength training of moderate intensity; 3) balance training; 4) Cooling – will consist of performing overall stretching combined with deep breathing.
  • Other: Neural mobilization
    • Neural gliding mobilization will target mainly the lower limb nerves and will be performed in series of 10 repetitions with 1 minute interval between series.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Exercise and nervous system mobilization
    • This group will receive neural mobilization and therapeutic exercise: two sessions of 60 minutes during 8 weeks.
  • Experimental: Exercise
    • This group will receive therapeutic exercise: two sessions of 60 minutes during 8 weeks.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Gait velocity
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • Participants are asked to walk at normal gait velocity over 4 meters and gait velocity is calculated
  • Gait velocity
    • Time Frame: 9 weeks
    • Participants are asked to walk at normal gait velocity over 4 meters and gait velocity is calculated
  • Gait velocity
    • Time Frame: 3 months
    • Participants are asked to walk at normal gait velocity over 4 meters and gait velocity is calculated

Secondary Measures

  • Pain intensity
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • Pain intensity measured using a vertical numeric rating scale (Range: 0 to 10 and higher values are indicative of higher pain intensity)
  • Pain intensity
    • Time Frame: 9 weeks
    • Pain intensity measured using a vertical numeric rating scale (Range: 0 to 10 and higher values are indicative of higher pain intensity)
  • Pain intensity
    • Time Frame: 3 months
    • Pain intensity measured using a vertical numeric rating scale (Range: 0 to 10 and higher values are indicative of higher pain intensity)
  • Pain location
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • Measured using a body chart (a graphic representation of the body) where participants identify painful body sites
  • Pain location
    • Time Frame: 9 weeks
    • Measured using a body chart (a graphic representation of the body) where participants identify painful body sites
  • Pain location
    • Time Frame: 3 months
    • Measured using a body chart (a graphic representation of the body) where participants identify painful body sites
  • Depressive symptoms
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • Measured using the 15-itens Geriatric Depression Scale (range: 0-15; participants who score 5 or more have depression)
  • Depressive symptoms
    • Time Frame: 9 weeks
    • Measured using the 15-itens Geriatric Depression Scale (range: 0-15; participants who score 5 or more have depression)
  • Depressive symptoms
    • Time Frame: 3 months
    • Measured using the 15-itens Geriatric Depression Scale (range: 0-15; participants who score 5 or more have depression)
  • Balance
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • Participants are asked to maintain a tandem/semi-tandem position for up to 30 seconds.
  • Balance
    • Time Frame: 9 weeks
    • Participants are asked to maintain a tandem/semi-tandem position for up to 30 seconds.
  • Balance
    • Time Frame: 3 months
    • Participants are asked to maintain a tandem/semi-tandem position for up to 30 seconds.
  • Timed up and go test
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • Get up from a chair, walk 3 meters, go back to the chair and sit back. The amount of time that each participant takes to perform the task is taken.
  • Timed up and go test
    • Time Frame: 9 weeks
    • Get up from a chair, walk 3 meters, go back to the chair and sit back.The amount of time that each participant takes to perform the task is taken.
  • Timed up and go test
    • Time Frame: 3 months
    • Get up from a chair, walk 3 meters, go back to the chair and sit back. The amount of time that each participant takes to perform the task is taken.

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • be 65 years of age or older; – to have independent gait with or without technical aid; – have indication of the institution's doctor for participation in the study Exclusion Criteria:

  • inability to understand study aims.

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 65 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Aveiro University
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Anabela G Silva, Assistant Professor – Aveiro University

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