Balance Training + Spinal Stimulation for Aging
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
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.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?
The trial requires that you do not take medications affecting the central nervous system, such as benzodiazepines, anti-cholinergic medication, and GABAergic medication. If you are on these medications, you may need to stop taking them to participate.
What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment?
Research shows that combining balance exercises with electrical stimulation can improve balance in older adults. Specifically, a study found that dynamic balance improved when electrical stimulation was used alongside voluntary exercises, suggesting that this combination may help enhance balance control.12345
Is balance training and spinal stimulation safe for humans?
Balance training, including various forms like functional electrical stimulation and perturbation-based training, has been studied in different populations and generally shows improvements in balance and function with minimal serious adverse events reported. However, specific safety data for spinal stimulation combined with balance training is not detailed in the provided studies.46789
How does the Balance Training + Spinal Stimulation treatment differ from other treatments for improving balance in aging individuals?
The Balance Training + Spinal Stimulation treatment is unique because it combines balance exercises with spinal stimulation, which may enhance muscle activation and postural control more effectively than traditional balance exercises alone. This approach could potentially offer greater improvements in balance by integrating both voluntary and electrically stimulated muscle contractions.13101112
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for older adults aged 65 to 95 with walking speeds slower than 1.0 m/s and balance scores below a certain threshold, who have controlled blood pressure, adequate vision, and no significant cognitive impairment.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo five sessions of balance training combined with either active or sham tsDCS over a 2-week period
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at 1-day and 10-day post-intervention
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Balance Training
- Spinal Active tsDCS
- Spinal Sham tsDCS
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Florida
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator