Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · Jan 27, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new way to help improve balance through a technique called intermittent visual perturbations, which involves using special goggles that create changing visual experiences while you practice walking on a low balance beam. The goal is to see if this method can make a difference in how well people maintain their balance and move their bodies. If you are between the ages of 18-30 or 65-89 and can walk independently for at least 10 minutes, you may be eligible to participate.

Participants will need to come to the lab for two sessions—one lasting up to 3 hours and another about 1 hour, scheduled two weeks later. In total, you might spend a maximum of 4 hours for the study. It’s important to note that some people may not qualify, such as those with certain cognitive issues, recent lower limb injuries, or specific vision problems. If you decide to join, you'll help researchers learn more about balance and may contribute to future treatments that could help others improve their stability and movement.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 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
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • -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.