Noise-Enhanced Sensory Function in Elders at Risk for Falls

Status unconfirmed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Aging, Somatosensory Deficit

In brief

The long-term goal of this project is to develop a non-invasive, noise-based technique for enhancing somatosensation and thereby improving balance control in elderly fallers and older adults with somatosensory deficits.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00421759

Run by

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

People needed

170

Starts

2006-04-01

Expected to finish

2009-01-01

Last updated by the study team

2009-12-14

Who can join

Age: 70 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Participant must (1) have somatosensory deficit (mild to moderate sensory loss on the bottom of both feet) OR (2) be classified as a recurrent faller (two or more incident falls over a twelve-month period not related to syncope, major medical events, or overwhelming external hazards)
• Age 70 and older
• Able to stand unassisted for at least 60 seconds several times over a 30-minute period
• Able to walk without assistance from a walking aid

You may not qualify if…

• Known history of seizures or fainting
• Unstable medical condition
• Open lesions or poor skin condition on feet
• Unable to cooperate with or understand the protocol
• Foot size larger or smaller than the constructed vibrating insoles (men's sizes smaller than 3 or larger than 12; women's sizes smaller than 4.5 or larger than 13.5)

Where it is running

• Applied Biodynamics Laboratory, Boston University — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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