Post-Brain Injury Walking and Balance Recovery Program

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH, GALVESTON · Jun 28, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called the Post-Brain Injury Walking and Balance Recovery Program, is studying a special walking and balance training program designed to help people recover after a brain injury, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI). The goal is to see if this personalized training approach can improve patients' walking speed, strength, endurance, and balance, making it easier for them to move around safely. The researchers believe that people who start with less severe walking and balance problems will show more improvement than those with more serious issues.

To participate in this trial, you need to be at least 18 years old and currently receiving care at the Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute. You should be able to walk, even if you use a device like a walker or cane, and you must be stable from a medical standpoint (meaning your health conditions are under control). If you have a caregiver who can help with communication, you can also take part. During the trial, participants will engage in the training program alongside their usual rehabilitation care, aiming for better walking and balance outcomes. The study is currently recruiting participants, and everyone is welcome, regardless of background or gender.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults ages 18 years and older
• • All demographic groups will be invited to participate and would have equal access
• • Post-TBI individuals currently enrolled at the Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute
• • Ambulatory with or without assistive devices
• • Subjects with expressive aphasia in the case of a caregiver able to provide assistance when needed
• • English-speaking or have a certified interpreter that is English-speaking who will be present for interpretation during the study
• • Medically stable (controlled hypertension, no arrhythmia, stable cardiovascular status)
• • Able to provide written informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Subjects with loss of lower limb
• • History of serious cardiac disease (e.g., myocardial infarction)
• • Uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic pressure \>140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure \>90 mmHg)
• • Subjects with receptive aphasia
• • Presence of cerebellar and brainstem deficits
• • Severe cognitive disorder
• • Uncontrolled respiratory or metabolic disorders
• • Major or acute musculoskeletal problems
• • Spasticity management that included phenol block injections within 12 months or botulinum toxin injections within 4 months of the study
• • Body weight greater than 250 pounds (due to robotic device weight restrictions)