A training program to improve balance in older veterans
Official title: A Balanced Reach Training Platform to Address Balance Disorders in Older and Neurologically Disabled Veterans
Funded at Baltimore VA Medical Center · NIH-11166270 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new training program designed to help older veterans improve their balance and reduce their risk of falling by practicing reaching tasks that challenge their stability in a safe way.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baltimore VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2020 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003096-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11166270 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans aged 65 and older who are experiencing balance issues or are at risk of falling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or do not have balance disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a Balanced Reach Training Protocol (BRTP) aimed at improving balance in older veterans who are at risk of falling. The program involves challenging participants to perform reaching tasks that push their balance limits, gradually increasing these challenges as they improve. By using advanced engineering methods, the research seeks to better understand how age and neurological conditions affect balance control, ultimately leading to more effective diagnosis and treatment strategies for balance disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of falls and related injuries in older veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineering methods to study balance, but this specific approach with the BRTP is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Baltimore VA Medical Center
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barton, Joseph Edward — Baltimore VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Barton, Joseph Edward
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A Balanced Reach Training Platform to Help Balance in Older Veterans
A new training program uses balance challenges to improve posture and movement in older veterans who are at risk of falls.
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Balanced Reach Training to Improve Balance for Older and Neurologically Disabled Veterans
This project uses a progressive reach‑at‑your‑limits training program to help older and neurologically disabled Veterans strengthen balance and lower fall risk.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.