Noise-Enhanced Sensory Function in Elders at Risk for Falls
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
Previous studies have shown that sub-sensory mechanical noise (i.e., random vibration with a small intensity) can enhance somatosensory function in healthy individuals and older adults with somatosensory deficits. Moreover, the postural sway of both healthy young and healthy elderly individuals during quiet standing can be significantly reduced by applying sub-sensory mechanical noise to the feet using vibrating shoe insoles.
The specific aims of this project are to determine the effects of noise-enhanced somatosensation at the feet on balance performance in elderly individuals with somatosensory deficits and/or recurrent falls, and to assess whether adaptation occurs in noise-enhanced balance control in these individuals. To accomplish these aims, quiet-standing and dynamic posture studies and clinical balance assessments will be conducted on elderly individuals with somatosensory deficits and elderly individuals with recurrent falls (two or more falls over a 12-month period).
This project could lead to the development of a novel bioengineering technique for improving balance control in older adults and patients with somatosensory deficits. The work could thus serve to reduce the frequency, morbidity and cost of falling, and assist aged individuals in achieving maximal independence in activities of daily living and mobility.
Two groups of participants will be recruited from the RNH Epidemiology Core: 85 elderly individuals with somatosensory deficits, and 85 elderly individuals with recurrent falls. The study consists of three visits--a one-hour neurological exam, and two 6-hour laboratory testing sessions scheduled one week apart.
Study Type
Enrollment (Anticipated)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
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Massachusetts
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Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
- Recruiting
- Applied Biodynamics Laboratory, Boston University
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Contact:
- Attila Priplata, PhD
- Phone Number: 617-363-8487
- Email: attilapriplata@hrca.harvard.edu
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Principal Investigator:
- James Collins, MD
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-
Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participant must (1) have somatosensory deficit (mild to moderate sensory loss on the bottom of both feet) OR (2) be classified as a recurrent faller (two or more incident falls over a twelve-month period not related to syncope, major medical events, or overwhelming external hazards)
- Age 70 and older
- Able to stand unassisted for at least 60 seconds several times over a 30-minute period
- Able to walk without assistance from a walking aid
Exclusion Criteria:
- Known history of seizures or fainting
- Unstable medical condition
- Open lesions or poor skin condition on feet
- Unable to cooperate with or understand the protocol
- Foot size larger or smaller than the constructed vibrating insoles (men's sizes smaller than 3 or larger than 12; women's sizes smaller than 4.5 or larger than 13.5)
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Treatment
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
- Masking: Quadruple
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
|
Experimental: 1
85 elderly individuals with somatosensory deficits
|
Participants wear vibrating sandals for 3 trials of 6 minutes, during a single lab visit.
The sandal vibration is on during either first or second 3 minutes of the 6 minute trial, as they walk.
Also, participants wear the sandals for 2 hours while sitting, with vibrations on for one visit and off for the other.
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|
Experimental: 2
85 elderly individuals with recurrent falls
|
Participants wear vibrating sandals for 3 trials of 6 minutes, during a single lab visit.
The sandal vibration is on during either first or second 3 minutes of the 6 minute trial, as they walk.
Also, participants wear the sandals for 2 hours while sitting, with vibrations on for one visit and off for the other.
|
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Time Frame |
|---|---|
|
Area ellipse of sway
Time Frame: Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
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Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
|
Berg Functional Balance Scales
Time Frame: Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
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Timed Up and Go (TUG)Test
Time Frame: Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
|
Timed one-legged stance test
Time Frame: Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
|
Gait timing variability
Time Frame: Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Time Frame |
|---|---|
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Changes in: stabilogram-diffusion analysis (SDA)
Time Frame: Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
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Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
|
Neurological risk factors related to falls
Time Frame: Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
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Three 6-minute trials in one visit, repeated one week later
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Publications and helpful links
General Publications
- Laughton CA, Slavin M, Katdare K, Nolan L, Bean JF, Kerrigan DC, Phillips E, Lipsitz LA, Collins JJ. Aging, muscle activity, and balance control: physiologic changes associated with balance impairment. Gait Posture. 2003 Oct;18(2):101-8. doi: 10.1016/s0966-6362(02)00200-x.
- Priplata AA, Niemi JB, Harry JD, Lipsitz LA, Collins JJ. Vibrating insoles and balance control in elderly people. Lancet. 2003 Oct 4;362(9390):1123-4. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14470-4.
- Kiemel T, Oie KS, Jeka JJ. Multisensory fusion and the stochastic structure of postural sway. Biol Cybern. 2002 Oct;87(4):262-77. doi: 10.1007/s00422-002-0333-2.
- Liu W, Lipsitz LA, Montero-Odasso M, Bean J, Kerrigan DC, Collins JJ. Noise-enhanced vibrotactile sensitivity in older adults, patients with stroke, and patients with diabetic neuropathy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002 Feb;83(2):171-6. doi: 10.1053/apmr.2002.28025.
- Priplata A, Niemi J, Salen M, Harry J, Lipsitz LA, Collins JJ. Noise-enhanced human balance control. Phys Rev Lett. 2002 Dec 2;89(23):238101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.238101. Epub 2002 Nov 13.
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start
Primary Completion (Anticipated)
Study Completion (Anticipated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Estimate)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Estimate)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Keywords
Other Study ID Numbers
- AG0072
- 5P01AG004390-230014
- 5P01AG004390 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
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