McMaster study targets mobility in aging adults

Research focuses on stopping problems before they start by improving walking, balance

McMaster researchers want to stop mobility problems before they start by testing a program that teaches adults how to change walking patterns as they age.

It’s one of two local studies currently looking for recruits. The other one aims to get adults with multiple sclerosis physically active.

The walking study is looking for adults age 50 and older who are starting to see changes in their mobility.

“They’ve noticed their walking speed has decreased or their balance isn’t quite what it was or they’re getting some pain,” said Julie Richardson, co-principal investigator.

It’s estimated up to 40 per cent of those over age 65 and up to 55 per cent of those over age 75 are experiencing these early warning signs.

“You want to get them when they are just starting to notice some changes because that’s a time when it’s much easier and more effective to make a change in terms of improvement,” said Richardson who is a physiotherapist and professor in the school of rehabilitation science at McMaster University.

If you wait too long, “that’s when people start saying, ‘I can no longer do this. I no longer feel safe walking in a busy street.’”

The randomized control trial is using $150,000 in funds from the Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative, which stems from a $10-million donation in 2012 by businessperson and now chancellor, Suzanne Labarge, to support research in optimal aging.

It has recruited 45 patients already and is looking for 15 more.

The study involves attending a one-hour group session once a week run by a physiotherapist to discuss ways to improve things like speed, balance, breathing and posture. It’s followed by a one-hour exercise session to practise different stepping patterns.

“If you practise stepping patterns that require more cognitive engagement it helps their automatic walking,” said Richardson.

The patients create goals every week, have a website to turn to for help and get calls from a physiotherapist to check on how they’re doing.

“What I found interesting was that I had started to lose my balance and I had decided I just have to accept it, but I learned here that you don’t have to accept it, you can prevent it and improve,” said feedback from one patient who can’t be identified due to confidentiality. “My balance has improved so much, I’m just really overwhelmed.”

The MS study has recruited 35 patients so far and is looking for 35 more between the ages of 18 and 64 with mild to moderate disability.

For that study, patients are randomized into one group that gets a prescription for physical activity from a neurologist while the other group is given a copy of the exercise guidelines and left to their own devices. The research is funded primarily by a $300,000 grant from the MS Society of Canada.