Reducing Fall Risk with Hip Hip Abductor Stimulation During Balance Training
Official title: Reducing Fall Risk with the use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Maximize the Hip Abductor Muscles in Older Veterans
Funded at Baltimore VA Medical Center · NIH-11493617 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether using electrical stimulation on the hip abductors during balance training helps older veterans improve balance and reduce fall risk.
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 | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003484-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11493617 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults, particularly veterans, with impaired hip abductor strength and balance who are at risk of falls.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without hip abductor weakness or balance issues may see little to no benefit.
What this research studies
Falls are a major concern for older adults, and this study explores a new approach to boost hip muscle strength. The plan is to combine neuromuscular electrical stimulation with a targeted balance program to see if improvements in hip abductor function translate into steadier gait and fewer falls. The work builds on early findings that hip abductors are key for balance and that fatty changes in these muscles may hinder traditional strengthening. By applying stimulation during exercise, researchers hope to enhance muscle recruitment and health, potentially improving daily mobility and safety for participants. The study is conducted at the Baltimore VA Medical Center with older veterans as the population of interest.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience better balance, stronger hip muscles, and fewer falls.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary results suggest stimulation during balance training can improve strength and mobility, but larger trials are needed for definitive evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Baltimore VA Medical Center
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Addison, Odessa — Baltimore VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Addison, Odessa
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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.