Perturbation Training for Alzheimer's Disease
(STAD Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
This study will examine the overall capacity of people with Alzheimer's disease learning fall-resistant skills from perturbation training.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Perturbation Training for Alzheimer's Disease?
Research shows that perturbation-based balance training (PBT) can significantly reduce falls in older adults and people with conditions like Parkinson's disease and stroke. This suggests that PBT might help improve balance and reduce falls in Alzheimer's patients as well, although more specific studies are needed.12345
Is perturbation training safe for humans?
Perturbation training, which helps improve balance and prevent falls, has been studied in older adults and people with neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and stroke. While it shows promise in reducing falls, more research is needed to fully understand its safety and effectiveness in different groups.35678
How is perturbation training different from other treatments for Alzheimer's disease?
Perturbation training is unique because it focuses on improving reactive balance control by repeatedly exposing participants to unexpected movements that challenge their balance, which is different from traditional exercise programs that may not specifically target fall prevention. This approach is emerging as a promising method to reduce falls, particularly in older adults and those with neurological conditions.13679
Research Team
Feng Yang, PhD
Principal Investigator
Georgia State University
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for English-speaking individuals aged 65 or older with probable Alzheimer's Disease who can walk and stand independently. They must have certain scores on cognitive tests indicating moderate impairment but cannot have had perturbation training before, osteoporosis, other major psychiatric or neurological conditions, injuries, or uncontrolled blood pressure issues.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Training
Participants receive a single-session perturbation training treatment on a treadmill under the protection of a safety harness
Control
Control group undergoes harnessed walking on the treadmill without perturbation training
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for fall incidents and skill retention over six months
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Perturbation training (Behavioral Intervention)
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Georgia State University
Lead Sponsor
Dr. Jian-Dong Li
Georgia State University
Chief Executive Officer since 2011
PhD in Biomedical Sciences from University of California, San Francisco; MD from Qingdao University School of Medicine
Dr. Steve Simonson
Georgia State University
Chief Medical Officer since 2014
MD from Medical College of Wisconsin; Master's in Health Sciences from Duke University School of Medicine
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Chief Medical Officer
MD from University of California, Los Angeles
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Chief Executive Officer
MD, PhD from Stanford University
Alzheimer's Association
Collaborator
Dr. Joanne Pike
Alzheimer's Association
Chief Executive Officer since 2023
DrPH in Public Health Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dr. Maria C. Carrillo
Alzheimer's Association
Chief Medical Officer
PhD in Neuroscience