Falls in older adults with MCI: smarter balance training and quick reactions
Official title: Neuromechanisms of falls in older adults with MCI: Targeting assessment and training of reactive balance control
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11176879 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in older adults with mild cognitive impairment will test how to improve their balance and protective steps during unexpected shifts or trips.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 5, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $569,436 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG073152-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176879 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adults aged 65+ with mild cognitive impairment and a history of balance difficulties or falls.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without balance issues or with more advanced dementia may see little to no benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on older adults with mild cognitive impairment who are at higher risk of falling. It will examine how reactive balance and protective stepping respond to sudden disturbances and whether targeted training can improve those responses. The researchers will use tasks that simulate real-life perturbations to see if training helps people adapt more effectively. By understanding these reactions, the study aims to develop practical balance-training strategies that could reduce fall risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the training could help reduce falls and related injuries in older adults with MCI.
How similar studies have gone: Other balance-training approaches have reduced fall risk in older adults, but this study targets reactive balance specifically in MCI, which is more novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhatt, Tanvi — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Bhatt, Tanvi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New balance training to prevent falls in older adults
A new, low-cost balance training program for people 65 and older aims to reduce the chance of falls by improving fast recovery after a trip.
-
Understanding how older adults with mild cognitive impairment manage balance to prevent falls
This study is looking at how older adults with mild cognitive impairment manage their balance when faced with unexpected challenges, to help find ways to improve their stability and reduce the risk of falls.
-
Understanding how older adults control their head and neck during falls
This study is looking at how older adults can better control their head and neck when they fall, with the hope of finding ways to prevent injuries from falls.
-
Movement-Enhanced Walking Training to Improve Balance After Stroke
A specialized treadmill training using a cable-driven device, called Movement Amplification Environment (MAE), helps people with chronic stroke improve walking balance by enhancing their own movement awareness.
-
Phase 2b trial of dengue vaccines TAK-003 and Butantan-DV to boost lasting, broad antibody protection
A trial tests whether giving a second dengue vaccine (Butantan-DV) after an initial TAK-003 shot can create stronger, longer-lasting antibodies that work against all dengue types.
-
Aging and aspirin: a long-term look at cancer, heart health, and brain risks
A large study at a top hospital will follow older adults to understand how low-dose aspirin influences cancer, heart disease, and brain health over many years.
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.