Using walking sticks to increase walking in people with forward spinal imbalance

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a pilot interventional study that gives walking sticks to people aged 50 and older who have a sagittal vertical axis (C7-S1) greater than 5 cm and self-reported walking difficulties. Participants who can walk at least 10 minutes or 400 meters and who meet other criteria will be taught to use a cane and followed to measure changes in walking distance (walking perimeter) and dynamic stability. The protocol excludes current cane users, people with fixed spinal deformities, severe lower-limb osteoarthritis, neurologic or vestibular conditions, or significant cognitive or upper-limb impairments. The single-center study is conducted at Hôpital Cochin (Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris) with objective gait and functional walking outcomes collected over the study period.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult ≥ 50 years
* VAS (Sagittal Vertical Axis, C7-S1, EoS (clinical follow-up)) \> 5cm
* Able to do transfers alone
* Able to walk 10 minutes or 400 meters in a row
* Self-reported Walking difficulties
* Person living at home
* Person willing and consenting to participate in the study
* Health insurance

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current use of walking sticks
* Advanced and symptomatic osteoarthritis of the lower limbs
* Static disorder of the fixed spine
* Introduction of a straightening brace in the 3 months preceding the start of the study
* Static disorder explained by infectious, tumoral, congenital or neurodegenerative pathologies
* Uncompensated lower-limb length inequality (\> 2cm)
* Lower limb motor deficit
* Upper limb pathology preventing cane use
* Proprioceptive or vestibular pathology
* Inability to write, speak or read French
* Cognitive and/or behavioral disorders
* Participation in other research on spinal balance and/or gait, or that could influence these factors during the study period
* People under tutorship or curatorship
* Free state medical assistance

Where it's running

• Service de rééducation et de réadaptation de l'appareil locomoteur et des pathologies du rachis.Hôpital Cochin
  Paris, France Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Rémy FLECHON — Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
• Study coordinator: Rémy FLECHON
• Email: remy.flechon@aphp.fr
• Phone: 01.58.41.41.41 Poste 18608

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.