Pilot Feasibility Study of a Fall Prevention Exercise Programme for Community-dwelling Older Adults in Nanchang, China

Pilot Feasibility Study of a Fall Prevention Exercise Programme for Community-dwelling Older Adults in Nanchang, China

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility of a fall prevention exercise programme for older adults living in urban communities in China. The study will also gather preliminary data on whether the programme can improve adherence to exercise and reduce falls.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is the Safe & Joyful Walk programme feasible and acceptable for older adults in urban China?
• Does the programme help participants stick to regular exercise?
• Does the programme show early signs of improving balance, walking speed, and reducing falls?

Researchers will compare the Safe & Joyful Walk programme to Tai Chi to see which approach may better support exercise adherence and fall prevention.

Participants will:

• Attend 24 instructor-led group exercise sessions over 12 weeks
• Complete additional unsupervised home-based exercise practices during the same 12-week intervention period
• Continue unsupervised exercises during a 24-week follow-up period to assess long-term adherence
• Complete surveys, interviews, and physical tests at baseline, 12 weeks, and 36 weeks
• Record their exercise and any falls in diaries and calendars

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 60 years or older;
• Mandarin-speaking;
• independent in activities of daily living;
• able to walk 10 m without the use of a walking aid;
• willingness to provide informed consent and comply with the study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• an acute psychiatric condition with psychosis;
• an unstable medical condition that would preclude safe participation;
• a progressive neurological condition (such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Meniere's disease);
• cognitive impairment defined as a Pfeiffer Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) score <8 ;
• residing in residential aged care, currently participating in a fall prevention trial.