Training to improve balance and prevent falls
Reactive Balance Training for Fall Prevention: a Comparative Study of Three Different Perturbation Devices
This study is testing different training devices to see if they can help healthy young adults, healthy older adults, and stroke survivors improve their balance and reduce the risk of falls.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Illinois at Chicago Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Trial ID | NCT04205279 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot study evaluates the effects of three different perturbation-based training devices on reactive balance control in healthy young adults, healthy older adults, and individuals who have had a stroke. The training involves inducing slips and trips to challenge stability and improve compensatory strategies. The study aims to assess the feasibility and tolerability of 30-minute sessions using the SureFooted Trainer and to determine the long-term effects on fall risk reduction and prevention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include healthy young adults aged 18-55, healthy older adults aged 56-90, and individuals aged 18-90 who have experienced a stroke more than six months ago.
Not a fit: Patients with acute or chronic neurological, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, or systemic diagnoses may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this training could significantly reduce the risk of falls among vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using perturbation training to improve balance and reduce fall risk, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Healthy Young participants * Age group: 18-55 years. * Absence of any acute or chronic neurological, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal or systemic diagnosis. * No recent major surgery (\< 6 months) or hospitalization (\< 3 months) * Not on any sedative drugs. * Can understand and communicate in English Healthy older adults * Age group: 56-90 years. * Absence of any acute or chronic neurological, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal or systemic diagnosis. * No recent major surgery (\< 6 months) or hospitalization (\< 3 months) * Not on any sedative drugs. * Ability to walk with or without an assistive device for 10 meters * Can understand and communicate in English * Berg balance scale score \<45/56. Persons with stroke * Age group: 18-90 years. * Absence of any acute or chronic neurological diagnosis except stroke (self reported) * Onset of stroke (\> 6 months) * Absence of any cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal or systemic diagnosis. * No recent major surgery (\< 6 months) or hospitalization (\< 3 months) * Not on any sedative drugs. * Ability to walk with or without an assistive device for 10 meters * Can understand and communicate in English Exclusion Criteria: Healthy subject: * Subjects will not proceed with the test if any of the following occurs at baseline measurement: 1) HR \> 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HRmax) (HRmax = 220 - age), 2) systolic blood pressure (SBP) \> 165 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) \> 110 mmHg during resting), and 3) oxygen saturation (measured by pulse oximeter) during resting \< 95%. * Body weight more than 250 lbs. Healthy Older adults: * Individuals with heel bone density with a T-score \< -2, is classified as osteoporotic and will be excluded. * Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (Mini-mental State Exam score \< 25/30) will be excluded. * Subjects will not proceed with the test if any of the following occurs at baseline measurement: 1) HR \> 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HRmax) (HRmax = 220 - age), 2) systolic blood pressure (SBP) \> 165 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) \> 110 mmHg during resting), and 3) oxygen saturation (measured by pulse oximeter) during resting \< 95%. * 6 minute walk test. Subjects will also be screened out if on the 6 minute walk test they complain of shortness of breath or uncontrolled pain (\> 3/10 on VAS) or pulse oxygen drops \< 92% or are unable to achieve the age-specified minimal ambulation distance. * Body weight more than 250 lbs. Persons with stroke: * Individuals with heel bone density with a T-score \< -2, is classified as osteoporotic and will be excluded. * Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (Mini-mental State Exam score \< 25/30) will be excluded. * Subjects will not proceed with the test if any of the following occurs at baseline measurement: 1) HR \> 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HRmax) (HRmax = 220 - age), 2) systolic blood pressure (SBP) \> 165 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) \> 110 mmHg during resting), and 3) oxygen saturation (measured by pulse oximeter) during resting \< 95%. * 6 minute walk test. Subjects will also be screened out if on the 6 minute walk test they complain of shortness of breath or uncontrolled pain (\> 3/10 on VAS) or pulse oxygen drops \< 92% or are unable to achieve the age-specified minimal ambulation distance. * Body weight more than 250 lbs.
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Tanvi Bhatt, PhD — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Shamali Dusane, MPT
- Email: sdusan2@uic.edu
- Phone: 3123552735
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.