Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Improve Unsteady Gait in Older Adults (StimGait)

Launched by HEBREW SENIORLIFE · Aug 18, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The StimGait clinical trial is studying a new method to help older adults who have unsteady walking and are at risk of falling. The researchers want to see if a special type of brain stimulation, which does not involve surgery or needles, can improve both walking ability and attention. This is important because walking involves many movements, and changes in how someone walks can predict falls and problems with thinking.

To participate in this study, you need to be at least 65 years old, able to walk on your own for at least one minute, and be able to read and speak English. They are looking for people who show some changes in their walking patterns but do not have severe cognitive impairment or other serious health issues. If you join the trial, you will help researchers understand how this brain stimulation might improve your walking and thinking skills. Please note that the study is not yet recruiting participants, so keep an eye out for updates if you're interested!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 65 and above.
• • Ability to speak and read English.
• • Ability to walk independently and continuously for at least 1 minute.
• • Elevated gait variability as defined by a coefficient of variation (CoV) about average stride time larger and equal to 0.025 during straight-line walking at preferred speed.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • More than mild cognitive impairment defined by a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score less than 18.
• • Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, active brain tumor, or other neurological disorders.
• • Self-reported pain or lower extremity deformity that significantly disrupts walking.
• • Contraindications to MRI or tDCS.
• • An episode of acute illness or exacerbation of a diagnosis that requires hospitalization or active treatment within the past 3 months.
• • Current treatment for congestive heart failure, angina, uncontrolled arrythmia, deep vein thrombosis, or other uncontrolled cardiovascular events.
• • Myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, angioplasty, or other cardiac conditions within the past 3 months,
• • Active cancer for which chemo/radiation therapy is being received.
• • Psychiatric co-morbidity including major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, or other psychiatric illness.
• • Recent use of any sedating medications (sedatives, anti-psychotics, hypnotics, anti-depressants) or change in medication within the previous month.
• • Chronic vertigo or other diagnosed vestibular disorders.
• • Legal blindness, visual impairments that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery.
• • Those without WiFi access
• • Those who do not plan to live in their current homes for the duration of the study