Post-Brain Injury Walking and Balance Recovery Program

Description

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of a walking and balance training program designed to safely challenge and improve walking performance and balance in relation to walking speed, strength, endurance, and balance after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim and primary hypothesis of this research project is: Aim) Test and implement a new personalized intervention strategy, in addition to usual and customary care at an inpatient rehabilitation clinic, to improve patient outcomes with secondary conditions associated with impaired balance and walking that typically occur post brain injury. After validation of the locomotor Battery of tests, we will implement a personalized training strategy for individuals based on their battery profile. Hypothesis) Individuals training with this individualized protocol will demonstrate improved walking and balance outcomes and those with lesser pre-intervention impairment will improve at a greater rate than those with greater pre-intervention impairment.

Conditions

Acquired Brain Injury, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of a walking and balance training program designed to safely challenge and improve walking performance and balance in relation to walking speed, strength, endurance, and balance after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim and primary hypothesis of this research project is: Aim) Test and implement a new personalized intervention strategy, in addition to usual and customary care at an inpatient rehabilitation clinic, to improve patient outcomes with secondary conditions associated with impaired balance and walking that typically occur post brain injury. After validation of the locomotor Battery of tests, we will implement a personalized training strategy for individuals based on their battery profile. Hypothesis) Individuals training with this individualized protocol will demonstrate improved walking and balance outcomes and those with lesser pre-intervention impairment will improve at a greater rate than those with greater pre-intervention impairment.

Post-Brain Injury Walking and Balance Recovery Program

Post-Brain Injury Walking and Balance Recovery Program

Condition
Acquired Brain Injury
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Galveston

Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute, Galveston, Texas, United States, 77550

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility 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
  • * 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)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,

Study Record Dates

2025-12-31