Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training

Description

The purpose of this research study is to determine if intermittent visual perturbations can improve balance training. The investigators will quantify differences in body movement, muscle activity, and beam walking performance during and after practice walking on a balance beam that is 1" high. The investigators will ask the participants to come to the laboratory twice (2 sessions). The first session will not last more than 3 hours. The second session will not last more than 1 hour and will be two weeks after the first session. In total, the maximum amount of time the participant would be asked to participate is 4 hours.

Conditions

Balance

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Study Details

Study overview

The purpose of this research study is to determine if intermittent visual perturbations can improve balance training. The investigators will quantify differences in body movement, muscle activity, and beam walking performance during and after practice walking on a balance beam that is 1" high. The investigators will ask the participants to come to the laboratory twice (2 sessions). The first session will not last more than 3 hours. The second session will not last more than 1 hour and will be two weeks after the first session. In total, the maximum amount of time the participant would be asked to participate is 4 hours.

Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training

Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training

Condition
Balance
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Gainesville

The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32611

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

  • * 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
  • * 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.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 89 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Florida,

Study Record Dates

2029-02-28