Balance Training for Traumatic Brain Injury

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Kessler Foundation

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to assess a balance training program to see if it can be helpful to avoid falls in people who have had traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The study will include 3 groups: TBI Intervention group , TBI Control Group, and healthy control group. TBI Intervention group - These individuals will participate in 16 anticipatory postural adjustments (APA) and compensatory postural adjustments (CPA) training sessions using the Neurocom Balance Platform. Each session will last for 1 hour. During the APA portion, participants will be provided with a visual cue on the front screen in the form of a countdown timer showing the remaining seconds to the onset of the upcoming perturbation. This information will allow an opportunity for the participant to adjust their posture to handle the upcoming perturbation in the best possible way and also train them to anticipate upcoming disturbances and execute corrective motor outputs. In CPA, after a 5 second pause, the platform will oscillate at 1 Hz, with a constant amplitude, in the anterior-posterior direction for 50 seconds, followed by an additional 5 second quiet period. The participant will wear a safety harness at all times and a spotter will be present at all times. TBI Control Group- They do not receive any intervention. healthy control group- They do not receive any intervention. All three groups will participate in two data collection sessions: Baseline and follow-up. At baseline and follow-up, we will collect functional, clinical, biomechanical, and physiological metrics. During training and data collection, a spotter will be present at all times to prevent falls and participants will be allowed as much rest as needed by them..

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals aged 18-70 who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) at least 6 months ago, are medically stable for the past 3 months, can stand unaided for 5 minutes, and agree to follow study procedures without changing medications drastically.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 70 years old with a traumatic brain injury.

For Traumatic Brain Injury: Be willing and able to give informed consent

I have been stable for 3 months since my last traumatic brain injury.

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Exclusion Criteria

For Healthy Individuals: Be currently enrolled in another research study that is likely to affect participation

I do not have conditions affecting my movement or sensation.

I had balance issues before my traumatic brain injury.

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Treatment Details

Interventions

Perturbation-based Training with visual cues using Neurocom (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe trial tests a balance training program using Neurocom's Balance Platform. It aims to improve anticipatory and compensatory postural responses in TBI patients through visual cues and platform oscillations over multiple sessions.

Participant Groups

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: TBI Intervention GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will participate in 16 anticipatory postural adjustments (APA) and compensatory postural adjustments (CPA) training sessions using the Neurocom Balance Platform. Each session will last for 1 hour. During the APA portion, a visual cue on the front screen in the form of a countdown timer showing the remaining seconds to the onset of the upcoming perturbation. This information will allow an opportunity for the participant to adjust their posture to handle the upcoming perturbation in the best possible way and also train them to anticipate upcoming disturbances and execute corrective motor outputs. This will ensure the generation of APA in a consistent and repetitive manner. In CPA, after a 5 second pause, the platform will oscillate at 1 Hz, with a constant amplitude, in the anterior-posterior direction for 50 seconds, followed by an additional 5 second quiet period. The participant will wear a safety harness at all times and a spotter will be present at all times.

Group II: TBI Control GroupActive Control1 Intervention

No intervention is provided

Group III: Healthy ControlActive Control1 Intervention

No intervention is provided