Improving walking balance for stroke survivors using advanced training techniques
Official title: Movement Amplification Gait Training to Enhance Walking Balance Post-Stroke
Funded at Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital · NIH-10915806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help stroke survivors improve their walking balance and speed using a special robot that gives gentle pushes while they walk on a treadmill, making it easier for them to regain their balance and walk better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hines, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 1I21RX004882-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10915806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with chronic stroke who experience difficulties with walking balance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of stroke or those with acute stroke conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing walking balance in individuals who have experienced a stroke by using a novel training method called Movement Amplification Environment (MAE). The approach involves a cable-driven robot that applies lateral forces during treadmill walking, helping participants develop better anticipatory balance control. By combining this method with high-intensity gait training, the research aims to improve both walking speed and balance in stroke survivors. Participants will engage in training sessions that challenge their balance and adapt their gait patterns in real-time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve walking balance and overall mobility for stroke survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using robotic-assisted training methods to improve balance and mobility in stroke patients, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
Hines, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gordon, Keith Edward — Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
- Study coordinator: Gordon, Keith Edward
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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Teleassessment of gait and balance after stroke to expand remote rehabilitation
A multi-site study tests simple remote gait and balance tests for stroke survivors to enable safer, easier rehabilitation from home.
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Movement-amplifying treadmill training to improve walking balance after stroke
This project uses a treadmill system that gently amplifies side-to-side movements to help people with chronic stroke improve their walking balance.
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Improving How the Great Toe Works and Its Link to Walking and Balance in Older Adults
Researchers are testing new ways to measure how the big toe functions and how that relates to walking balance in adults, with a focus on older individuals.
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Improving balance and walking in older adults with gentle vestibular electrical stimulation
This uses very small, nearly unnoticeable electrical pulses to the balance system to help balance and walking in older adults with age-related vestibular loss.
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MINT conditioning to improve post-stroke walking with a wearable device
A wearable, wireless EMG-based system called MINT helps people who’ve had a stroke re-train leg muscles to walk more easily, especially at home.
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.