AB Gait Estim Neurophysiology

Launched by EMORY UNIVERSITY · May 21, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called AB Gait Estim Neurophysiology, is investigating how electrical stimulation and walking practice affect the connections between the brain and muscles. The goal is to find new and personalized ways to help older adults and stroke survivors improve their walking ability by understanding how these strategies influence brain activity related to movement. The study will involve healthy adults who will participate in short walking sessions, with some using electrical stimulation and some not, to see how these methods impact their walking performance and brain function.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be between the ages of 18 and 65 and must be in good health, meaning they do not have any disabilities or medical conditions that affect their ability to walk. Participants should be able to walk at least 10 meters and follow simple instructions. Those selected will engage in treadmill walking sessions and potentially experience electrical stimulation during the study. This research is important as it aims to gather information that could lead to better rehabilitation techniques for individuals with walking difficulties in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18-65 years
• • Able-bodied (healthy without any physical disability, neurological, orthopedic, or other medical disorder affecting walking or study protocol participation)
• • Ability to walk \>10m overground and for 1 minute on a treadmill
• • Ability to follow 3-stage commands and provide informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Self-reported history or evidence of orthopedic or physical disability
• • History or evidence of neurological pathology
• • Pregnancy (female)
• • Uncontrolled hypertension
• • Cardiac pacemaker or other implanted electronic system
• • Presence of skin conditions preventing electrical stimulation setup
• • Impaired sensation in the left upper limb.
• • Bruises or cuts at the stimulation electrode placement site
• • Concurrent enrollment in rehabilitation or another investigational study.
• • History or evidence of orthopedic or physical disability interfering with study procedures
• • History or evidence of neurological pathology or disorder
• • Severe uncontrolled medical problems (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, active cancer or renal disease, epilepsy) that may interfere with study procedures
• • Contraindications to TMS such as metal implants, medications that can increase cortical excitability, unexplained dizziness in the past 6 months