Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training

Recruiting now · Early Phase 1

Conditions studied: Balance

In brief

The purpose of this research study is to determine if intermittent visual perturbations can improve balance training. The investigators will quantify differences in body movement, muscle activity, and beam walking performance during and after practice walking on a balance beam that is 1" high. The investigators will ask the participants to come to the laboratory twice (2 sessions). The first session will not last more than 3 hours. The second session will not last more than 1 hour and will be two weeks after the first session. In total, the maximum amount of time the participant would be asked to participate is 4 hours.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06804512

Run by

University of Florida

People needed

540

Starts

2024-08-20

Expected to finish

2029-02-28

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-10

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 89. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Ages 18-30 years, or 65-89 years.
• Ability to walk independently for 10 minutes continuously.
• Willingness to be randomized to any experimental group and to participate in all aspects of study assessment and intervention

You may not qualify if…

• Major cognitive disorder that interferes with independence, based on affirmative response (always/usually/sometimes) to the following question: "As a result of confusion or memory loss, how often do you need assistance with day-to-day activities such as cooking, cleaning, taking medications, driving, or paying bills? Would you say it is 1) Always; 2) Usually; 3) Sometimes; 4) Rarely; or 5) Never".
• Current or recent (within 6 months) lower limb musculoskeletal injury that causes pain during walking or limits walking ability.
• History of neurological injury or disability (including spinal cord injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis).
• Difficulty communicating with study personnel.
• Current enrollment in any other clinical trial.
• Low vision that cannot be corrected by wearing contact lens. Low vision will be operationally defined as visual acuity less than 20/70 on standard eye chart, or difficulty perform complex walking tasks due to visual conditions affecting accurate navigation around and over obstacles (self-reported or observed by examiner). The goggles to be used in the study do not permit eyeglasses while using them.
• Illiterate or non-English speaking, due to the likelihood of difficulties following protocol instructions.

Where it is running

• The University of Florida — Gainesville, Florida, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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