Improving walking ability in older adults through locomotor adaptation techniques

Locomotor Adaptability for Community Mobility of Older Adults: The Role of Gait Automaticity

This study is testing new techniques to help older adults walk better and more easily by seeing if they can adapt their walking skills in different situations.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 42 (estimated)
• Ages: 19 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• Trial ID: NCT04934956 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how older adults can improve their walking automaticity and adaptability through innovative locomotor adaptation techniques. Participants aged 65 and older will undergo assessments to measure their walking performance under various conditions, including cognitive challenges. The study will utilize advanced technology, such as wireless functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), to monitor brain activity during these tasks. The goal is to determine if enhancing locomotor adaptability can lead to better dynamic balance and mobility, as measured by the Functional Gait Assessment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are older adults aged 65 years and older who can walk independently without assistance.

Not a fit: Patients with neurological disorders, severe cognitive impairments, or significant orthopedic issues may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance the mobility and quality of life for older adults by improving their walking ability.

How similar studies have performed: While locomotor adaptation in older adults has been explored, this specific approach using fNIRS and split-belt walking is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* 19 years old or older.
* Body Mass Index of 35 or less. Muscle activities will be recorded for distinct muscles in the legs and fatty tissue could interfere with these measurements.
* Able to walk without a hand held device
* Able to walk for 5 minutes at their self-paced speed

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any past or present history of neurological disorders, heart or respiratory disease, brain injury, seizures, spinal cord surgery, or strokes.
* Pregnancy.
* Unable to follow two part commands;
* Uncorrected vision or severe visual impairment with visual acuity \< 20/70 with best correction;
* Cognitive impairments defined as modified mini-mental score \<84;
* orthopedic or pain conditions (lower extremity pain, back pain, calf pain);
* refuse to walk on a treadmill;
* hospitalized 6 months prior to the study for acute illness or surgery, other than minor surgical procedures;
* lower extremity orthopedic surgery within 1 year;
* uncontrolled hypertension (\> 190/110 mmHg);
* diagnosed dementia;
* dyspnea at rest or during daily leaving activities;
* use supplemental oxygen, resting heart rate\> 100 or \<40 beats per minute;
* fixed or fused hip, knee, or ankle joints;
* progressive movement disorder such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Parkinson's disease

Where this trial is running

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Sensorimotor Learning Laboratory, Schenley Place Suite 110 — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Gelsy Torres-Oviedo, Ph.D. — University of Pittsburgh
• Study coordinator: Gelsy Torres-Oviedo, Ph.D.

Conditions: Community Mobility of Older Adults, Locomotor Adaptability, Gait Automaticity