Understanding the fear of falling in people with Multiple Sclerosis
Official title: Investigating Fear of Falling in Multiple Sclerosis: An Interplay of Neural, Motor, Cognitive, and Psychological Factors
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-10993952 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the fear of falling affects people with Multiple Sclerosis and aims to understand why this fear happens, so we can find better ways to help them feel more confident and safe on their feet.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,406 |
| NIH project number | 1F31HD116491-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993952 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis who experience fear of falling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Multiple Sclerosis or those who do not experience fear of falling may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how fear of falling affects individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) by examining the interplay of neural, motor, cognitive, and psychological factors. It aims to identify the underlying causes of this fear, which impacts over 60% of pwMS, leading to reduced confidence, avoidance behaviors, and increased fall risk. By exploring the neural correlates of fear of falling, the study seeks to develop effective interventions to help pwMS regain balance confidence and improve their quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions that help pwMS manage their fear of falling, enhancing their mobility and overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While some research has explored the neural aspects of fear of falling in older adults, this specific focus on pwMS is relatively novel and underexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Takla, Taylor — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Takla, Taylor
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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.