Testing Effectiveness of a Stochastic Noise Stimulator to Immediately Improve Balance and Gait
Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Vestibular Disorder, Aging
In brief
The goal of this intervention study is to determine if a new electronic stimulation device, similar to a TENS can improve balance and make walking easier in older individuals with reduced balance function. The main question aims to answer the following: Can using the device improve walking speed in older individuals? Participants will be asked to perform a number of tasks while wearing the device: Walk for 6 minutes * Stand in place while having balance measured (eyes open and closed) * Stand on a foam block while having balance measured (eyes open and closed) * Sit in a chair that will tilt +/- 20 degrees while wearing goggles that take videos of the participants eyes.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT06688578
- Run by
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- People needed
- 120
- Starts
- 2026-09-25
- Expected to finish
- 2027-05-31
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-06-23
Who can join
Age: 21 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may not qualify if…
- Any person with a self-reported history of:
- impaired proprioception
- significant eye problems
- neuromuscular disease
- seizure
- stroke
- unmedicated diabetes
- cardiovascular disease (except controlled hypertension)
- renal disease or electrolyte imbalance
- orthopedic disorders such as severe neck or back pain
- uncontrolled high blood pressure (200/110 or greater)
- implanted electronic devices (pacemakers, defibrillators, implanted pumps or stimulator devices, cochlear, etc.)
- psychotic medications or current psychotic symptoms
- Any other psychiatric condition requiring hospitalization since 1991
- recent history of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 6 months
- inability to stand unassisted for 30 seconds or walk unassisted for 6 minutes
Where it is running
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (enrolling)
- Johns Hopkins Medicine — Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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