Vibrotactile Balance Belt Effect on Improving Gait

Part of paid clinical trials in Baltimore, Maryland.

Sponsor
Johns Hopkins University
Study ID
NCT07253532
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Ataxia - Other
  • Gait Impairment
  • Vestibular Hypofunction

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 80 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • BalanceBelt — DEVICE
    The BalanceBelt is a lightweight, wearable device designed to assist individuals with balance impairments. It provides real-time vibrotactile feedback around the waist, which aligns with the user's posture and movements. By delivering sensory cues, the BalanceBelt aids users in maintaining stability and improving awareness of trunk tilt during daily activities. Its non-invasive design allows for continuous use and can be discreetly worn under clothing. The device aims to enhance safety, confidence, and independence for individuals with balance dysfunction, supporting both rehabilitation and long-term mobility improvements.

Study Details

This study will examine the effect of using a vibrotactile feedback implemented into a belt, at improving gait in those with gait disorders.

Key Dates

Start date
Mar 20, 2026
Status verified
Mar 2026
Primary completion
Dec 1, 2030
Completion
Dec 1, 2030

Study Design

Enrollment
90 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Balance Disorders Group with Vibrotactile Stimulation via Balance Belt
    Participants with balance disorders will wear a vibrotactile stimulation belt (Balance Belt) designed to provide compensatory cues to improve balance and mobility. Physiologic, kinematic, and behavioral responses will be assessed using methods such as the video head impulse test (vHIT), the Dynamic Visual Acuity Test (DVA), and wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors to measure gait kinematics.
  • No Intervention: Healthy Controls Group (Age/Gender-Matched Participants Without Balance Disorders)
    Participants in the Healthy Controls Group are age- and gender-matched individuals without balance disorders. These participants will serve as a comparison group and will not receive any interventions. The participant's physiologic, kinematic, and behavioral measures will be assessed using the same testing protocols as the experimental group, including the video head impulse test (vHIT), the Dynamic Visual Acuity Test (DVA), and clinical/kinematic evaluations using inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors.

Primary Outcome Measure

Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) [ Time Frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 1-2-3-4-5-11-23-35 months ]

Central Contacts

Locations (2)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Johns Hopkins Medical InstitutionsBaltimoreMaryland21287-
Johns Hopkins Outpatient CenterBaltimoreMaryland21287
Jennifer Millar, MSPT
[email protected]
410-955-0016
Michael C Schubert, PhD
[email protected]
410-955-7381

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By research site
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions· Baltimore, MDJohns Hopkins Outpatient Center· Baltimore, MD

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