In-Home Sensory Training Therapy to Reduce Falls in Older Adults
Official title: Development of an In-Home Sensory Training Therapy to Mitigate Falls Risk Among the Elderly
Funded at Senaptec INC. · NIH-11400486 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A home-based program using stroboscopic eyewear to help older adults improve balance and reduce their risk of falls.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Senaptec INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Beaverton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $602,882 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AG087868-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400486 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older with self-reported balance concerns or a history of falls, able to perform activities of daily living.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who cannot safely participate in balance training or have conditions that contraindicate vision-occluding therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to help people 65 and older who are at risk of falling by using specially designed glasses that briefly block vision to train the senses that control balance. The therapy will be adapted for home use, including prescription lenses and good performance in low light. Participants would perform short daily activities with the eyewear to strengthen balance and coordination, potentially improving daily living activities and safety. The approach has shown promising signs in labs and small pilot studies, and this grant will test its feasibility and impact in older adults living at home or in community settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help older adults stay independent by reducing falls and related injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies and pilots have reported improved balance and motor coordination after short training with stroboscopic training devices.
Where this research is happening
-
Senaptec INC.
Beaverton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fleming, Elizabeth Ann — Senaptec INC.
- Study coordinator: Fleming, Elizabeth Ann
Related research
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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.