Intrinsic Foot Muscle Strengthening Interventions for Older Adults

Description

Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults over age 65. Muscle weakness in the foot can lead to foot and toe deformities such as collapsed arches or bunions, which have been found to contribute to falls in adults over age 65. The current research study aims to investigate the effectiveness of two simple and affordable foot strengthening methods that may make a major impact on balance and fall prevention in older adults.

Conditions

Accidental Fall

Talk to us

Study Overview

On this page

Study Details

Study overview

Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults over age 65. Muscle weakness in the foot can lead to foot and toe deformities such as collapsed arches or bunions, which have been found to contribute to falls in adults over age 65. The current research study aims to investigate the effectiveness of two simple and affordable foot strengthening methods that may make a major impact on balance and fall prevention in older adults.

The Effects of Intrinsic Foot Muscle Strengthening Interventions on Balance, Proprioception, Foot Structure, and Fall Risk in Adults Over Age 65

Intrinsic Foot Muscle Strengthening Interventions for Older Adults

Condition
Accidental Fall
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Springfield

Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, 01027

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Can ambulate household distances (16 meters) with or without an assistive device
  • * Have fall risk based on a "yes" to any of the Three Key Questions Do you feel unsteady when standing or walking? Do you worry about falling? Have you fallen in the past year? OR
  • * Have a fall risk based on Timed Up and Go score (\> 12 seconds)
  • * poor foot sensation (Semmes-Weinstein)
  • * lower extremity amputations
  • * lumbar spine or lower extremity injury or surgery in the past 6 months
  • * impaired cognitive ability to follow verbal or written instructions (MMSE)
  • * vestibular disorders
  • * based on self-report and/or the Vestibular Screening Tool (score \> 4)
  • * participation in a fall prevention program in the previous 6 months

Ages Eligible for Study

65 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Springfield College,

Erin Futrell, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Springfield College

Study Record Dates

2025-09-30