How mild cognitive impairment affects balance and stepping responses in older adults
Official title: The effect of mild cognitive impairment on reactive stepping responses and motor adaptation to trip perturbations
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11053465 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) react to unexpected trips compared to those without cognitive issues, to better understand their balance and stepping responses and find out why they might be more likely to fall.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 31, 2024 |
| Project end | January 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AG086016-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053465 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are cognitively intact and do not have any balance disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) respond to unexpected trips compared to those without cognitive issues. It focuses on understanding the differences in their balance and stepping reactions when faced with these challenges. By examining the underlying mechanisms of balance control and muscle coordination, the study aims to identify why individuals with MCI are at a higher risk of falling. The research employs advanced techniques, including electroencephalography (EEG), to analyze brain activity during these balance tests.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved fall prevention strategies for older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding balance responses in older adults can lead to effective interventions, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pitts, Jessica — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Pitts, Jessica
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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.