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RECRUITING
NCT06517043
NA

Spinal Networks of Balance Learning and Retention in Older Adults

Sponsor: University of Florida

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

Age-related balance and walking issues increase fall risks, leading to injuries, higher healthcare costs, reduced quality of life, and increased morbidity/mortality rates. Preserving functional ability is a crucial public health priority, with the potential to reduce healthcare costs and enhance older adults' quality of life. Declines in balance and walking ability threaten independence. These declines are attributed to spinal network impairments and may be mitigated by targeted interventions aimed at addressing age-related spinal cord impairment to enhance functional outcomes. However, there is a lack of research into how the aging spinal cord affects balance/walking. In older adults, the spinal cord is less excitable, conducts signals more slowly, and is subject to neural noise. Intervening on age-related impairment of the spinal cord to improve balance/walking ability is a very promising but untapped area of research. A therapeutic approach that combines dynamic balance training with non-invasive electrical spinal stimulation may be effective in preserving functional abilities. This study tests whether electrical stimulation of the spinal lumbar regions is more beneficial than sham stimulation.

Official title: Upregulating Spinal Circuits to Enhance Balance and Walking and to Increase Spinal Excitability in Older Adults

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

65 Years - 95 Years

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

30

Start Date

2025-01-22

Completion Date

2026-08-31

Last Updated

2025-05-13

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Conditions

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Balance Training

Complex balance task involving static and dynamic weight shifting and coordinated stepping

DEVICE

Spinal Active tsDCS

Active tsDCS over lumbar regions

DEVICE

Spinal Sham tsDCS

Sham tsDCS over lumbar regions

Locations (1)

Malcom Randall VA Medical Center Brain Rehabilitation Research Center

Gainesville, Florida, United States