Clinical Research Directory

Impact of Loss Aversion Messaging and Anticipated Regret for Inaction on Exercise Adherence in Older Adults

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if messages focused on not losing the functional benefits of exercise can help older adults with walking difficulty continue to exercise regularly. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do these messages make people more likely to anticipate regretting it if they do not exercise? Does more anticipated regret make it more likely they will exercise more regularly? Researchers will compare two versions of messages to see if the content of these one of these message types is more effective than the other. Participants will complete a daily 5-minute at home exercise program for 4 months and complete regular online surveys to track their progress and report their feelings regarding regret.

Development and Efficacy of a Novel, Cost-Effective Gait Training Device Utilized at Home for Stroke Survivors

This pilot, parallel-group randomized controlled trial will evaluate the feasibility, safety, usability, and preliminary efficacy of the Rise\&Walk InHome (RWH), a novel robotic gait training device designed for home use after stroke. Twenty adults with lower-extremity motor impairment following a first-ever stroke (3 months to 5 years post-event) will be randomized 1:1 to either (1) RWH-assisted home walking plus usual care or (2) usual care alone for 12 weeks. Participants in the intervention group will receive an in-home RWH device, complete a structured device training program, and be instructed to perform 30-minute RWH walking sessions four times per week (48 sessions total). All participants will undergo standardized outcome assessments at baseline, weeks 4, 8, and 12, including the 6-Minute Walk Test (primary outcome), 10-Meter Walk Test, daily step count via wearable activity tracker, and health-related quality of life (SF-36). Additional feasibility and usability outcomes include device use and adherence, patient satisfaction and motivation, ease of use, perceived exertion, and adverse events. Findings will inform the feasibility of in-home deployment of the RWH device and provide preliminary effect-size estimates to guide the design of a larger efficacy trial.