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CompletedNCT02566785BASICUpdated Sep 25, 2023Results posted

Balance Training for Elders With Heart Failure

An interventional study of Balance Intervention in Heart Failure, sponsored by University of Nebraska. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-09-25.

Sponsored by University of Nebraska · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
33
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
65 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in older (≥ 65 y/) community dwelling heart failure (HF) patients. Fall risks are even greater for those with HF due to decreased exercise capacity, loss of skeletal muscle \& medication side effects. Though resistance training (RT) is effective for improving skeletal muscle, it has only a modest effect on improving balance, which is comprised of peripheral sensory input central integration, \& motor output. A multi-component intervention focusing on balance retraining \& strengthening the muscles supporting static/dynamic balance \& functional mobility is necessary.

This pilot study will evaluate the effect of a multi-component balance \& RT intervention on physical function, balance, \& falls in older (≥ 65 y/) community dwelling heart failure (HF) patients. The study will also explore perceptions related to outcomes \& the intervention through focus groups, generate data on adherence and generate data on feasibility of conducting the BASIC Training intervention. The results of this study will be used to develop a targeted intervention to induce changes in elderly HF patients to prevent future falls; thus reducing costs, physical \& emotional burdens related to falls; \& effect a major difference in the quality of life.

The study will be once per week supervised group sessions \& twice a week home sessions, and include 30 Second Sit-to-Stand, Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, Activity Specific Balance Confidence Scale, Timed Up \& Go, Dynamic Gait Index.

Read the detailed description

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the effect of a multi-component balance and resistance training [RT] intervention on physical function, balance, and falls in older [≥ 65 y/o] community dwelling heart failure [HF] patients. The study aims: 1] Pilot test multi-component balance activities and RT intervention on primary outcomes. 2] Explore perceptions related to outcomes and the intervention through focus groups. 3] Generate pilot data on adherence. 4] Generate pilot data on feasibility of conducting the BASIC Training intervention.

Background/Significance: Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in this age group. Fall risks are even greater for those with HF due to decreased exercise capacity, loss of skeletal muscle and medication side effects. Though RT is effective for improving skeletal muscle, it has only a modest effect on improving balance, which is comprised of peripheral sensory input central integration, and motor output. A multi-component intervention focusing on balance retraining and strengthening the muscles supporting static/dynamic balance and functional mobility is necessary.

Methods: Design - Randomized, two-group with wait list control, repeated measures experimental design. Sample/ Setting - 40-50 participants recruited from a medical center heart failure clinic; supervised group sessions conducted in the center's health and wellness center. Procedures - Participants will be randomized to the intervention group or the wait list control group. Focus groups pre/post intervention. The intervention will be administered in 1x per week supervised group sessions and 2x a week home sessions. Instruments - 30 Second Sit-to-Stand, Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, Activity Specific Balance Confidence Scale, Timed Up and Go, Dynamic Gait Index.

Analysis Plan: Aim 1- independent t-test to compare change scores from baseline to the end of the first 12 week period for the intervention group with the wait list control group. A second analysis will combine data from the delayed intervention period for the wait list control group with that from the first 12 week period for the intervention group to test change. Supplemental analysis, involving only data from intervention group, will test whether change is sustained at 24 weeks. Aim 2 - thematic analysis conducted with focus group data. Aim 3 - adherence assessed by group session attendance and home activities completed. Aim 4 - assess and report logistics of conducting the study.

Nursing Relevance/Implications: This pilot study will initiate the process of developing a targeted intervention to induce changes in elderly HF patients to prevent future falls; thus reducing costs, physical and emotional burdens related to falls; and effect a major difference in the quality of life for this population.

02

Conditions studied

  • Heart Failure

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In context

Heart Failure

5,701 studies on the registry are indexed under Heart Failure; 1,220 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 33 is below the median of 72 across 3,736 interventional studies indexed under Heart Failure.

Browse Heart Failure studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Nebraska is the lead sponsor of 473 studies on the registry; 66 are open to participants now.

Of its 75 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 46 (61%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
65 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • 65 years of age or greater;
  • New York Heart Association class II and III,
  • community dwelling;
  • able to speak and read English,
  • must have written permission from cardiologist to participate.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • wheel chair dependency;
  • history of significant residual neurologic deficits [e.g.: recent stroke];
  • recent history of whiplash or concurrent complaints of neck pain;
  • recent fracture or lower extremity surgery. Participants will be screened for cognitive dysfunction and must pass the Mini-Mental State Examination [with a score at or above 23 points].
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
33 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Intervention Group

    Those allocated to the intervention group will participate in a supervised group session exercise one time per week and be asked to exercise two more times per week at home.

    Other: Balance Intervention

  • Other
    Wait List Control Group

    The wait list control group will not participate in the intervention and will be asked to continue their usual activity level during the first 12 weeks and will receive the multi-component balance intervention during weeks 12-24.

    Other: Balance Intervention

Interventions

  • OtherBalance Intervention

    The multi-component balance intervention will be 1x per week in supervised group sessions and 2x a week sessions at home. Sessions will begin with a 5 minute warm up of major muscle groups using flexibility exercises and end with a cool down. Sessions will focus on improving static balance in the initial stages, then progress to dynamic balance.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Pre/Post Scores on the 30 Second Sit to Stand Test Will be Used to Detect Any Changes in Leg Strength and Endurance That Occur During the 12 Week Group Exercise Sessions.

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

  2. Dynamic Gait Index

    8 increasingly challenging walking tasks (normal gait speed, changes in gait speed, walking with horizontal and vertical head movements, walking with pivot turn, walking over and around obstacles and stair climbing). A walkway path measured at 20 feet was used. A research assistance observed and scored all participants using a 0-3 scale, 0 = severe gait impairment, 1 = moderate gait impairment, 2 = mild/minimal impairment, 3 = normal gait, with a total possible scale range of 0 to 24 points. Scores ≤ 19 points was used to classify falling risk (Shumway-Cook et al. 1997).

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Activity Balance Confidence Scale

    Total range = 0-100% Higher values represent better outcome Total score is averaged = total%/16 responses

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

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Results

Posted Oct 9, 2018

Participant flow

November 2015 through June 2016 at the Heart Failure Improvement Program of a regional hospital.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneIntervention GroupWait List Control Group
Started1518
Completed1415
Not completed13
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up02
Withdrew: Worsening condition11

Outcome measures

PrimaryPre/Post Scores on the 30 Second Sit to Stand Test Will be Used to Detect Any Changes in Leg Strength and Endurance That Occur During the 12 Week Group Exercise Sessions.
Time frame:
Baseline and 12 weeks
Reported as:
Mean · number of sit to stand cycles
Pre/Post Scores on the 30 Second Sit to Stand Test Will be Used to Detect Any Changes in Leg Strength and Endurance That Occur During the 12 Week Group Exercise Sessions.
number of sit to stand cyclesIntervention GroupWait List Control Group
Baseline6.9 ± 4.26.5 ± 3.6
12 Weeks7.9 ± 4.57.7 ± 5.4
PrimaryDynamic Gait Index

8 increasingly challenging walking tasks (normal gait speed, changes in gait speed, walking with horizontal and vertical head movements, walking with pivot turn, walking over and around obstacles and stair climbing). A walkway path measured at 20 feet was used. A research assistance observed and scored all participants using a 0-3 scale, 0 = severe gait impairment, 1 = moderate gait impairment, 2 = mild/minimal impairment, 3 = normal gait, with a total possible scale range of 0 to 24 points. Scores ≤ 19 points was used to classify falling risk (Shumway-Cook et al. 1997).

Time frame:
Baseline and 12 weeks
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Dynamic Gait Index
units on a scaleIntervention GroupWait List Control Group
Baseline18.9 ± 3.819.1 ± 4.6
12 Weeks20.9 ± 1.818.9 ± 4.4
SecondaryActivity Balance Confidence Scale

Total range = 0-100% Higher values represent better outcome Total score is averaged = total%/16 responses

Time frame:
Baseline and 12 weeks
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Activity Balance Confidence Scale
units on a scaleIntervention GroupWait List Control Group
Baseline74.9 ± 17.374.1 ± 12.6
12 weeks72.1 ± 13.371.2 ± 15.8

Adverse events

Collected over One year. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Intervention Group0/15 (0%)0/15 (0%)1/15 (6.7%)
Wait List Control Group0/18 (0%)0/18 (0%)0/18 (0%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventIntervention GroupWait List Control Group
Fall from chair to kneeMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/150/18

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Intervention GroupWait List Control GroupTotal
<=18 years000
Between 18 and 65 years000
>=65 years151833
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Intervention GroupWait List Control GroupTotal
Female8816
Male71017
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Intervention GroupWait List Control GroupTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native000
Asian000
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander000
Black or African American000
White151833
More than one race000
Unknown or Not Reported000
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(Participants)Intervention GroupWait List Control GroupTotal
United States151833
08

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing
    Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0220, United States
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 25, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT02566785
Lead sponsor
University of Nebraska
Collaborators
American Nurses Foundation
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 2, 2015
Start date
Feb 1, 2016
Primary completion
Dec 16, 2016
Completion
Dec 16, 2016
Results posted
Oct 9, 2018
Last update
Sep 25, 2023

Study contacts

Rita L McGuire, PhD, RN
principal investigator · University of Nebraska

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Sep 2023. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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