Clinical Research Directory

Changes in Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Experienced Meditators

This research project aims to investigate whether participation in a 5-day meditation retreat is associated with changes in biomechanical gait parameters in experienced meditators. Walking is a complex motor function that integrates cognitive, sensory, and neuromuscular processes, and alterations in gait have been linked to neurological, psychological, and emotional functioning. Recent advances in wearable sensor technology enable precise assessment of gait characteristics, including stance and swing phases, foot-rocker timing, acceleration, and joint kinematics, providing objective measures of motor performance. Mindfulness has consistently demonstrated beneficial effects on psychological well-being, emotion regulation, and body awareness, and growing evidence suggests that emotional states influence motor behavior, including gait. Furthermore, mindfulness-based interventions have shown promising effects on motor symptoms in some clinical populations, although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Meditation retreats, which combine intensive mindfulness practice with a distraction-free environment, have been associated with sustained improvements in stress, anxiety, quality of life, and neuroplasticity-related processes. However, despite increasing interest in mind-body interventions, no published studies have specifically examined the effects of meditation retreats on gait biomechanics. This pilot study therefore seeks to address this knowledge gap by evaluating changes in gait and foot-strike biomechanics before and after a 5-day meditation retreat using wearable gait analysis technology. In addition, the study will explore the relationship between changes in biomechanical gait variables and participants' levels of mindfulness and quality of life. The findings are expected to provide preliminary evidence on the potential motor effects of intensive meditation practice and contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between mindfulness, body awareness, and locomotor function in healthy individuals.

The Potential of Robotic-Assisted Gait Training in a Rehabilitation Setting

Robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) devices, such as the Lokomat®, are commonly used to support gait rehabilitation by enabling repetitive, task-specific walking movements. The functional proprioceptive stimulation (FPS) device Vibramoov® represents a novel technology designed to stimulate proprioceptors at the muscle-tendon junction through targeted vibratory stimuli, thereby activating sensorimotor centers in the brain and potentially facilitating movement execution. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate whether Lokomat® training combined with Vibramoov® leads to greater improvements in qualitative and quantitative gait parameters in stroke patients compared with Lokomat® training alone. The study will be conducted at the Gröbming Rehabilitation Center and will include patients undergoing a four-week neurological inpatient rehabilitation program. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group (Lokomat® + Vibramoov®) or a control group (Lokomat® only), with 20 patients per group. Primary outcomes include the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and spatiotemporal gait parameters. Additional assessments include functional scores, patient-reported outcome measures, and blood biomarkers. Statistical analyses will be performed depending on data distribution. A follow-up assessment evaluating EQ-5D and PHQ-4 will be conducted six months after completion of the rehabilitation program.

The Effects of Manual Therapy on the Spatiotemporal Gait Characteristics in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of manual therapy on spatiotemporal characteristics of gait and gait variability, functional exercise capacity, and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The secondary aims of the study are to determine the effects of manual therapy on balance, respiratory muscle strength, quality of life, physical activity, symptom severity, accessory respiratory muscle activation, peripheral muscle strength, chest wall mobility, dysfunctional breathing, pain, and posture.