Use of Virtual Reality for the Assessment of Attentional and Reaction Abilities for Fall Risk Evaluation
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Aging, Fall Risk Factors, Sleep. Basic parameters: from 60 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Motor and Cognitive Abilities in Relation to Fall Risk: Use of Virtual Reality for the Assessment of Attentional and Reaction Capacities
Overview
Aging is a condition characterized by a general decline in physical and cognitive performance, however its effects on various functions are still controversial. These changes lead to an increased risk of injuries, particularly due to falls. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, 28-35% of individuals aged over 65 experience a fall each year, and this percentage increases with age. For this reason, preventing falls among the elderly is undeniably one of the most critical public health issues in today's aging society. Nowadays, it is widely demonstrated that the loss of muscle strength and mass, along with decreased balance, significantly increases the risk of falls. However, with aging, numerous other changes occur that contribute to an increased risk of falls, such as a decline in cognitive function, including attention, reaction capabilities and memory, as well as other factors that worsen the quality of life, such as insufficient sleep or nutrition. According to WHO estimates, by 2030, the number of injuries due to falls will double. Therefore, it is of great importance to understand and analyze the factors contributing to falls among older adults in everyday life. For this reason, the principal aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the fall index and the Visual Attention, Reaction Time and visual field using the technologies of Virtual Reality (VR). Since aging brigs changes in different aspect, the secondary objectives aim to study the correlation also with i) sleep quantity and quality parameters, ii) risk of malnutrition, and iii) physical condition, muscle conditions and strength in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the factors that most contribute to the risk of falls. In addition to these objectives, the correlation between acute sleep deprivation and the risk of falls will also be analyzed, in order to understand how inadequate sleep quantity can impact injuries in the elderly.
Primary outcome measures
- 30 - second chair stand test [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
Secondary outcome measures (12)
- Virtual reality (VR-Brain Tracker) [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- Strength asessment [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- Balance test [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- Sleep assessment [Time frame: sleep monitoring duration: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- Sleep Hygene Index [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- Body Impedence Assessment [Time frame: T1]
- Virtual reality (CNS Sprint) [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- Virtual reality (Visual efficiency) [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- Karolinska Sleepiness Scale [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
- Tiredness Severity Scale [Time frame: 10 days ± 3 days after the familiarization day]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Male or female, of any ethnicity;
- Age ≥ 60 years;
- Cognitively intact;
- Autonomous ambulation;
- Signed and accepted informed consent to participate in all procedures required for the study.
Exclusion criteria
- Body Mass Index > 40.0;
- History of epileptic episodes;
- Bone fractures in the last 6 months;
- Previous surgical treatments for orthopedic conditions performed in the six months prior to study inclusion;
- Use of medications that affect motor coordination, balance, and bone and muscle metabolism;
- Conditions that, despite autonomous ambulation, influence fall risk (e.g., orthopedic, rheumatologic, or neurological conditions);
- Carriers of pacemakers and mechanical implants.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06940245 · VR&RISKofFALL