Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training

Part of paid clinical trials in Gainesville, Florida.

Sponsor
University of Florida
Study ID
NCT06804512
Phase
EARLY_PHASE1
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Balance

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 89 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Visual Occlusion Goggles — DEVICE
    The visual occlusion goggles alternate between sight and visual occlusion in a regular and programmable pattern. Based on the electrical properties of the goggles, they are also able to have the tint adjusted instead of blacking out entirely for the occlusion times during the programmed timings.
  • Balance Beam Walking — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants will walk on a treadmill mounted balance beam to assess their balance

Study Details

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.

Key Dates

Start date
Aug 20, 2024
Status verified
Feb 2026
Primary completion
Feb 28, 2029
Completion
Feb 28, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment
540 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

  • Placebo Comparator: Control - No Goggles
    Participants will complete the balance beam walking practice without any changes to vision.
  • Experimental: Intervention - Goggles Worn But Turned Off
    Participants will complete the balance beam walking practice while wearing the goggles, but they will not be turned on.
  • Experimental: Intervention - Vision for 3.75s and Occlusion for 1.5s
    Participants will complete the balance beam walking practice while wearing the goggles. Vision time will be set to 3.75s, and the occlusion time will be set to 1.5s for the duration of the practice time.
  • Experimental: Intervention - Vision for 7.5s and Occlusion for 0.75s
    Participants will complete the balance beam walking practice while wearing the goggles. Vision time will be set to 7.5s, and the occlusion time will be set to 0.75s for the duration of the practice time.
  • Experimental: Intervention - Vision for 7.5s and Occlusion for 1.5s
    Participants will complete the balance beam walking practice while wearing the goggles. Vision time will be set to 7.5s, and the occlusion time will be set to 1.5s for the duration of the practice time.
  • Experimental: Intervention - Vision for 7.5s and Occlusion for 3s
    Participants will complete the balance beam walking practice while wearing the goggles. Vision time will be set to 7.5s, and the occlusion time will be set to 3s for the duration of the practice time.
  • Experimental: Intervention - Vision for 15s and Occlusion for 1.5s
    Participants will complete the balance beam walking practice while wearing the goggles. Vision time will be set to 15s, and the occlusion time will be set to 1.5s for the duration of the practice time.
  • Experimental: Intervention - Low Visible Light Transmission
    Participants will complete the balance beam walking practice while wearing the goggles. Vision time will be set to 7.5s, and the occlusion time will be set to 1.5s for the duration of the practice time. The visible light transmission will be set to a low value around 20% instead of total blackout for the occlusion time.
  • Experimental: Intervention - High Visible Light Transmission
    Participants will complete the balance beam walking practice while wearing the goggles. Vision time will be set to 7.5s, and the occlusion time will be set to 1.5s for the duration of the practice time. The visible light transmission will be set to a high value around 90% instead of total blackout for the occlusion time.

Primary Outcome Measure

Balance Changes Between Pre and Post-Tests [ Time Frame: Each subject completes the study in two weeks ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
The University of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida32611
Daniel P Ferris, Ph.D.
[email protected]
734-834-0379
Ethan T Swierski, B.S.
[email protected]
716-399-7761
Daniel P Ferris, Ph.D. (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

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The University of Florida· Gainesville, FL

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