Understanding and improving reactive balance after mild traumatic brain injury
Official title: Characterizing reactive balance after mild traumatic brain injury
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11348157 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how people recover their balance after a mild brain injury and how targeted training could help prevent falls.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $603,260 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD114748-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348157 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of mild traumatic brain injury experiencing balance difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without balance problems after mTBI or without interest in rehabilitation approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
People who have had a mild traumatic brain injury often struggle with balance, especially in response to sudden moves or perturbations. The study will use a moving platform and special shoes to measure how quickly and effectively people react to balance disturbances. By identifying which parts of the reactive balance are most affected, researchers aim to develop rehabilitation approaches that improve rapid responses and daily living confidence. The goal is to translate these findings into better, more precise balance training for people recovering from mTBI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new rehabilitation methods that reduce fall risk and improve quality of life after mTBI.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies in other populations suggest reactive balance can be improved with perturbation-based training, but this specific focus in mTBI is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fino, Peter C — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Fino, Peter C
Related research
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A clinical trial tests a brain-training program to improve thinking and memory in people who have had a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
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.