Abstract
Simple SummaryFalls in community-dwelling individuals aged over 65 produce serious outcomes such as disability, morbidity, and mortality, as well as high healthcare costs. This research aims to assess whether a multicomponent training programme (McTP) combined with a transcranial direct-current stimulation device (tDCS), Halo Sport, produces improvements in balance and other gait-related parameters. Therefore, this study intends to test the efficacy of adding a tCDS device to an McTP in order to prevent falls in older adults by testing the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of its implementation in care resources for the elderly.Approximately one-third of elderly people aged over 65 who live in the community experience falls every year, with the proportion increasing with age. Moreover, of those who fall, about half will fall again in the following year. The falls’ consequences include disability, morbidity, and mortality. Although many external and internal factors lead to falls, balance issues play a major role. Multi-component training programs (McTP) usually combine balance, strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and flexibility, with studies reporting multiple benefits on the health-related quality of life. Halo Sport is a transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) device with promising results for gait performance. This study aims to test the effectiveness of the introduction of a tCDS device to an McTP to prevent falls in older adults. The sample will consist of 46 people aged 65 years or older, randomly assigned to experimental (n = 23) and control (n = 23) groups. The experimental group will perform the McTP while wearing tDCS, and the control group will perform McTP without the device, for three sessions per week over 12 weeks. The main measures will provide information about (1) safety, (2) applicability, (3) balance, (4) number of falls, (5) physical fitness, (6) risk of falling, (7) fear of falling, (8) health-related quality of life, and (9) cognitive function. Among the practical implications of this program, it is intended to provide data on its safety and effectiveness to be implemented in different resources as a tool for the prevention of falls.
Highlights
Ageing involves a series of complex changes that affect individuals in their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social areas
Balance is required in order to maintain a posture, perform voluntary movements, and react to external disturbances; individuals must be able to keep their centre of mass within their support base, with this skill being influenced by ageing [10]
We aim to study whether the association of a multi-component training program (McTP) combined with transcranial direct-current stimulation device (Halo Sport) is safe, applicable, and can enhance performance on gait and balance
Summary
Ageing involves a series of complex changes that affect individuals in their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social areas. Falling is the result of a multiple-factor interaction that causes the individual to be unable to maintain or regain balance [4]. Falls are multifactorial; biological, behavioural, social, economic, and environmental risk factors derived from community factors must be considered [5] (i.e., intrinsic and extrinsic factors [6]). Balance is required in order to maintain a posture, perform voluntary movements, and react to external disturbances; individuals must be able to keep their centre of mass within their support base, with this skill being influenced by ageing [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
