Improving balance and mobility in older adults with carotid artery narrowing through exercise.
Official title: Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis and Mobility Function with Exercise Intervention (ACCOF-Ex)
Funded at Baltimore VA Medical Center · NIH-10938031 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special 12-week exercise program can help older adults with mild carotid artery narrowing improve their balance and mobility, so they can stay active and prevent falls.
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 | November 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX003798-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10938031 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with moderate asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis who are at risk for balance and mobility issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe carotid artery stenosis who qualify for surgical intervention may not benefit from this exercise-focused approach.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a specific exercise program can help older adults with moderate asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) improve their balance and mobility. The study will involve a 12-week supervised aerobic and balance exercise intervention, designed to enhance cerebral blood flow and functional independence. Participants will be compared to a control group receiving standard care to assess the effectiveness of the exercise program. The goal is to develop targeted strategies that can prevent falls and disability in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved balance and mobility for older adults with moderate carotid artery narrowing, enhancing their quality of life and independence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeted aerobic and balance exercises can improve mobility and cerebral perfusion in older adults without carotid stenosis, suggesting potential success for this approach in the target population.
Where this research is happening
-
Baltimore VA Medical Center
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Desikan, Sarasijhaa K. — Baltimore VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Desikan, Sarasijhaa K.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Carotid artery treatment for people with artery narrowing who don’t have symptoms
A large, international study is testing whether intensive medical care plus either carotid surgery or carotid stenting improves outcomes for people with high-grade carotid artery narrowing who have not yet had symptoms.
-
Using genes to find new risk factors and treatments for carotid artery disease
Researchers are using big genetic data to uncover why carotid artery disease occurs and to find new ways to prevent and treat it for people at risk.
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Surgery, stenting, or medicine for people with severe carotid artery narrowing who have no symptoms
This project compares adding carotid surgery or artery stents to intensive medical treatment versus intensive medical treatment alone for people with severe narrowing of the carotid artery who have not had symptoms.
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Treating severe carotid artery narrowing to prevent stroke
Compares intensive medical therapy alone to adding carotid surgery or stenting for adults with severe carotid artery narrowing who have not had stroke symptoms.
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Finding genetic causes and treatment targets for carotid artery narrowing
This project uses veterans' genetic data and medical records to find why carotid arteries narrow and help people at risk of stroke.
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Identifying new risk factors and treatments for carotid artery narrowing
This study is looking into how our genes might affect carotid stenosis, a condition that can increase the risk of strokes, to help find better ways to prevent and treat it for people with heart-related issues.
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.