Remote Digital Health Intervention to Improve Balance and Reduce Fall Risk

PROJECT SUMMARY The goal of the current Phase I proposal is to further develop (to pivotal trial readiness) and evaluate a computerized training program (rSTAND) to extend older adults’ functional independence and reduce fall risk. This intervention may benefit a large population of vulnerable older adults that are at an elevated risk for accidental falls with current lack of long-term viable treatment options. Approximately one third of community dwelling senior over age 65 are at risk of suffering at least one fall annually, resulting in fractures or other major injuries. Although numerous fall prevention interventions have been developed, the prevalence of falls is increasing and there are high economic costs for treatments of non- fatal fall injuries. Thus, prevention of falls in older adults is critically important to ensure sustained functional independence later in life, prevent disability due to fractures or worse (premature mortality) and maintain the viability of our limited health care resources. Here, we propose to complete the development and testing of novel computerized executive function/cognitive training program. The program targets core executive functions (working memory, inhibition), speed of processing and sustained attention, and is grounded on design principles that drive adaptive brain plasticity to improve cognitive function and bolster functional abilities in older adults with an elevated fall risk. At the completion of this project we will have outcomes data sufficient to support a large scale randomized controlled trial in Phase II designed to establish medical efficacy of this program for people with age-related elevated fall risk.PROJECT NARRATIVE The goal of this project is to further develop (to pivotal trial readiness) and evaluate a computerized cognitive- training program designed to extend older adults’ functional independence and reduce accidental falls (i.e., reduce factors that contribute to fall risk; including cognitive abilities/executive functions). This intervention may benefit a large population of vulnerable older adults with elevated fall risk and lack of long-term viable treatment options.