An Engineering-Based Balance Assessment and Training Platform

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Balance Deficits, Stroke

In brief

This is a proposal to develop a Balanced Reach Training Protocol (BRTP) to evaluate and train dynamic standing balance. The BRTP is based upon the Balanced Reach Test (BRT) that the investigators previously developed and validated. In the BRT subjects stand and point to a target disk moving unpredictably across a large projection screen in front of them without stepping. Body movements undertaken to track the disk are integral to many daily activities and represent an important class of "expected" balance disturbances that can precipitate falls. The BRTP employs engineering and psychophysical methods, and exploits advances in real time computing in a novel and innovative way to more effectively evaluate and train balance function. The BRTP presents a challenging reaching/tracking task that subjects perform at their limit of balance. The BRTP is an objective, quantitative test that can evaluate balance function without floor or ceiling effects, and train balance across the spectrum of aging, disease, and injury.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03994770

Run by

VA Office of Research and Development

People needed

7

Starts

2021-11-15

Expected to finish

2023-12-12

Last updated by the study team

2026-01-22

Who can join

Age: 60 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 18-40 years old and in good health; 60 years and older
• For Ages 60 or older-stroke with persistent motor function deficit.
• For ages 18-40-experienced no falls in the past year. Fall is defined as a fall that occurs under conditions that an able body individual would not fall.
• Able to perform the balanced reach task without assistive devices for 90 seconds
• Able to perform a sit-to-stand with minimal assistance and walk 10 meters without human assistance
• Adequate language and neurocognitive function to give adequate informed consent \& to participate in testing and training
• Vision adequate to see a 1 inch diameter black disk against a white background at 3 feet
• Able to tolerate the use of Virtual Reality eyewear for \~10 minutes

You may not qualify if…

• Clinical history of:
• Any health condition that the study team deems would preclude safe completion of the BATP
• For ages 18-40-History of a stroke, orthopedic deficits, or sensorimotor deficits
• Body Mass Index (BMI) >40
• Excessive daily alcohol consumption (>3 oz. liquor; >12 oz. wine; or >36 oz. beer) or illicit drug abuse
• For ages 60 and older-Dementia based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score of less than 23 for more than 9th grade education.
• Neurological disease other than stroke, such as Parkinson's disease. Vestibular disorders sufficient to preclude safe completion of the BATP or MMBI
• Poorly controlled hypertension (>190/105) on at least two separate occasions
• Poorly controlled type 1 or 2 diabetes (HbA1c >10)
• Recent hospitalization for severe disease or surgery (<3 months)
• Congestive heart failure or valvular dysfunction symptomatic with ordinary activities (NYHA II)
• Self-reported Pregnancy
• Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension

Where it is running

• Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD — Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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