Understanding how concussion affects balance and navigation skills
Official title: Sensory Integration for Spatial Navigation After Concussion
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-10992668 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how concussions affect your brain's ability to use different senses, like sight and balance, to help you move around safely, especially if you're dealing with ongoing issues like dizziness or feeling unsteady after your injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,886 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD110713-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10992668 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have recently experienced a concussion and are experiencing persistent symptoms such as dizziness or balance issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a concussion or those with pre-existing balance disorders unrelated to concussion may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of concussion on the brain's ability to integrate sensory information necessary for spatial navigation and balance. It focuses on how concussions may disrupt the processing of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive cues, which are essential for maintaining orientation and mobility in daily activities. By examining these effects, the research aims to fill a critical gap in understanding the persistent symptoms like dizziness and imbalance that many concussion patients experience. The study will involve dynamic assessments of sensory integration during navigation tasks to better understand the challenges faced by individuals recovering from concussions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved rehabilitation strategies for patients recovering from concussions, enhancing their balance and navigation skills.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on dynamic sensory integration after concussion is relatively novel, previous research has shown that addressing sensory processing can lead to improvements in balance and cognitive function in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fino, Peter C — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Fino, Peter C
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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.