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Population Cohort Set-up for the Epidemiological Assessment of Balance Disorders in Elderly People

NCT06965660 · Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 1300

Last updated 2025-05-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

As people age, it becomes more common to experience balance problems. These issues can increase the risk of falling, which may lead to serious health consequences and loss of independence. While many studies have looked at falls in older adults, there is still limited information about how many people actually have balance disorders, how these disorders develop over time, and which factors might help detect them early-before a fall happens.

This clinical study aims to understand how common balance disorders are among older adults aged 65 to 75, how they change over time, and which simple, accessible tools might help us predict who is at risk. The study will include over 1,300 participants living in Mataró (Barcelona, Spain), who will be followed for a period of 18 months.

Participants will undergo a series of assessments to measure their balance, leg strength, and general health. One key test is posturography, an advanced method that evaluates how well a person can maintain balance. In addition, the study will explore the use of a simple tool-the Nintendo Wii™ Balance Board-as a low-cost way to detect balance issues. Retinal photographs will also be taken to study the small blood vessels in the eye, which may reflect changes in brain circulation that affect balance. Lastly, a tool called the Health Assessment Tool (HAT) will be used to assess participants' overall physical and cognitive function.

The study hypothesizes that certain indicators-such as leg strength, changes in retinal blood vessels, balance performance using tools like the Wii™, and overall health assessments (HAT)-can help predict who is at greater risk for balance problems and falls. The study also explores whether posturography, as a gold-standard method, can reveal how balance disorders are related to the risk and consequences of falling.

Detecting balance problems early can help prevent falls, reduce the risk of injury, and support older adults in maintaining their independence. This study may help identify easy and effective methods to screen for balance disorders, improving quality of life for older adults and reducing the personal and healthcare costs associated with falls.

Conditions

  • Balance Disorders
  • Accidental Falls
  • Frailty
  • Aging

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Karolinska Institutet

    collaborator OTHER

  • Fundació Tecnocampus Mataró-Maresme

    collaborator OTHER

  • Fundació Institut Germans Trias i Pujol

    collaborator OTHER

  • Universidade da Coruña

    collaborator OTHER

  • Fundacio d'Investigacio en Atencio Primaria Jordi Gol i Gurina

    lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age
65 Years
Max Age
75 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-04-01
Primary Completion
2025-04-10
Completion
2025-10-31

Countries

  • Spain

Study Locations

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Diseases
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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06965660 on ClinicalTrials.gov