Research Protocol

Methodology of a home-based motor control exercise and ergonomic intervention programme for community-dwelling older people: The McHeELP study

Maria Tsekoura^1,2, Sophia Stasi¹, John Gliatis³, Vasiliki Sakellari¹

1. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica (UniWA), Egaleo, Attica, Greece
2. Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Aigio, Greece
3. Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rio, Patra, Greece

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Keywords: Exercise, Falls, Home modification, Lower extremities, Motor control

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Abstract

The aim of this research (Motor control Home ergonomics Elderlies’ Prevention of falls; McHeELP study) was to develop a novel intervention combining motor control home-based exercises and a home ergonomic safety-improvement strategy in order to reduce falls in frail ambulatory older adults. A randomized controlled trial of a novel intervention is proposed including motor control exercises and home ergonomic assessment and modification in older adults who have at least one fall experience. Participants are randomized to control or intervention group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants will be assessed three times: at baseline, at 3rd month (end of intervention period) and again at 6^th month (follow-up measurement). The primary outcome is of the effect on functional mobility using the Timed Up and Go test. Secondary outcomes include assessments of functionality, fear of falling and quality of life. This will be the first study to develop an exercise intervention approach that combines home-based motor control exercise intervention with home assessment and modification. This study is expected to explore a low-cost, easy-to-popularize, and effective exercise intervention approach for improving functional mobility and prevent falls among older adults.

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