TAIC: student-led exercise for older adults at risk of falling (V7.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
TAIC – Implementation of student-led Otago classes for a falls risk, community dwelling older adult population
IRAS ID
265375
Contact name
David Hegarty
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Glasgow Caledonian University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
The National Records of Scotland population projections show the pension age population increasing by 25% over the next 25 years. Falls are a major cause of hospitalisation in older adults, one in three community dwelling older adults over 65 years of age fall each year. There is a need to explore novel methods of delivering care to a growing older adult population. A programme of exercise called OTAGO has been found to reduce the number of falls for older adults. Several studies have explored the use of students to lead exercise interventions but these have not included assessing the impact to student educational experiences and outcomes with varying degrees of success on patient outcomes and no adverse events.
Research Aim: To examine the feasibility of a student-led exercise intervention in improving falls risk outcomes for community dwelling older adults at risk of falling referred from NHS falls services.
Study Design: A feasibility study examining a single group undertaking a 12 week, student-led, OTAGO exercise class for community dwelling older adults at Glasgow Caledonian University. OTAGO consists of progressive strength and balance exercises.
NHS and Student Participants will be invited to consent to the trial. If willing, they will be asked to undertake the 12 week intervention and assessed using a combination of specific measures before and after the trial and in face to face interviews after the trial.
NHS recruitment will be through the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire community falls teams and the exercise delivery is consistent with usual care, the main difference is the location and student leaders. Student leaders will be recruited at Glasgow Caledonian University and trained as OTAGO exercise leaders in advance of leading the exercise classes.
Funding has been received from AGILE the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists professional network working with older adults.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
19/WS/0148
Date of REC Opinion
9 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion