Variable Visual Stimulus as a Novel Approach for Gait Rehabilitation (VISNA Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen ByLuis M. Silva, Ph.D.

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Travel: May be covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Nebraska

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Deterioration in walking performance as a result of disease or simply as a result of aging is a serious threat to independence in older adults. In this project, the investigators propose an innovative visual stimulus, based on advanced mathematical and biological theories, with which older adults can walk in time to improve their walking. The investigators' goal is to apply this simple, cost-effective, and novel gait rehabilitation therapy across all populations who have difficulties walking, e.g. stroke patients, fallers or those who undergo joint replacement.

Eligibility Criteria

Participant Groups

4Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Placebo Group

Group I: Fractal visual cueingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

This stimulus will consist of a visual moving bar displayed on a small monitor attached to a pair of glasses. The temporal structure of the movement will be fractal (i.e., pink noise). Participants will be asked to match their hell strikes of right foot with the top of the moving bar's path and their heel strikes of left foot to the bottom.

Group II: Periodic visual cueingActive Control1 Intervention

This stimulus will consist of a visual moving bar displayed on a small monitor attached to a pair of glasses. The temporal structure of the movement will be periodic (i.e., invariant). Participants will be asked to match their hell strikes of right foot with the top of the moving bar's path and their heel strikes of left foot to the bottom.

Group III: ControlActive Control1 Intervention

Natural walking.

Group IV: Random visual cueingPlacebo Group1 Intervention

This stimulus will consist of a visual moving bar displayed on a small monitor attached to a pair of glasses. The temporal structure of the movement will be random (i.e., white noise). Participants will be asked to match their hell strikes of right foot with the top of the moving bar's path and their heel strikes of left foot to the bottom.