Variable Intense Training for Ataxia and Locomotion (VITAL)

May 27, 2026 updated by: George Hornby, Indiana University

Feasibility and Potential Efficacy of High-intensity Gait Training in Individuals With Cerebellar Damage

The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and potential preliminary efficiency of high-intensity training focused on stepping in variable contexts as compared to conventional training in individuals with cerebellar disease

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and potential preliminary efficiency of high-intensity training focused on stepping in variable contexts as compared to conventional training in individuals with cerebellar disease

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

20

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Christopher Henderson
  • Phone Number: 3173292353
  • Email: henderce@iu.edu

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Ages 18-85
  • >6 months following brain injury or diagnosis of cerebellar dysfunction
  • A total score of > 4 on items 5-8 on the SARA for the ipsilateral limb
  • Ability to ambulate 10 m at self-selected gait speeds (SSV) <1.2 m/s with no greater than minimal physical assistance permitted for postural stability only, but with below knee bracing and/or assistive device as needed
  • Weight < 350 pounds
  • Able to follow 1-step command
  • Medical clearance to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Uncontrolled cardiopulmonary or metabolic disease that limits exercise participation, active heterotopic ossification, recurrent history of lower extremity fractures, previous orthopedic or other peripheral or central neurologic injury that may impair locomotor activities
  • Currently participating in other physical therapy
  • >50 units of Botox within the past three months in the lower extremity OR in the lower extremity, but above the knee if the participant wears an ankle-foot-orthosis
  • Individuals deemed not stable between Pre-Baseline Testing and Baseline Testing

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: High-intensity training in variable contexts
High-intensity training focused on stepping tasks in variable contexts (tasks and environments) while targeting higher cardiovascular intensity (>75% maximum predicted heart rates) during up to 40 mins of 1-hr sessions. A total of 20 sessions will be targeted.
Other: High-intensity training in variable contexts
High intensity stepping training: Training sessions will focus on maximizing stepping activities in variable contexts while targeting ≥70% HR reserve (or approximately 80% age-predicted maximum HR) calculated using the Karvonen formula. Target HR will be decreased by 10 beats if the individual is on beta-blockers. Intensity will also be monitored using the Borg RPE scale every 3-5 minutes with goals of ≥15 on a 6-20 scale. The intensity of the walking training will be primarily modulated through the treadmill speed and incline as well as addition of weights to the torso or limbs for the purpose of error augmentation and not to dampen ataxia. Sessions will focus on achieving up to 40 minutes of stepping training within each 60-minute session. Potential tasks include walking in multiple directions, over inclines and obstacles, and/or with weighted vests and leg weights with limited handrail use as tolerated and decided by the therapist and participant.
Other Names:
  • Locomotor training at higher intensities
Active Comparator: Conventional balance training
Conventional balance activities will consist of sitting and standing balance exercises, with selected dynamic stability exercises performed during walking tasks. Heart rates will be monitored with no targeted range. All sessions will be 1-hr long with balance activities for up to 40 minutes per session. A total of 20 sessions will be targeted.
Other: Conventional balance training
Conventional training: Training sessions will focus on improving static and dynamic balance, while calculated using the Karvonen formula. Target HR ranges will be decreased by 10 beats if the individual is on beta-blockers. Intensity will also be monitored using heart rates and RPE every 3-5 minutes with goals of <14 on a 6-20 scale. Sessions will focus on balance training for up to 40 minutes within a 60-minute session. Individuals will perform ~10 minutes (~25% of sessions) on balance activities in the sitting position, ~20 minutes (50% of sessions) of standing positions and ~10 minutes (25% of sessions) of walking training.
Other Names:
  • Static and dynamic stability training

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
6-min walk test
Time Frame: Changes from baseline to post-training following up to 20 sessions over approximately 8 weeks
Participants will walk for 6 minutes with instructions to "cover as much ground as they can".
Changes from baseline to post-training following up to 20 sessions over approximately 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Indiana University

Collaborators

Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Thomas G Hornby, Indiana University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

June 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 15, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 15, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 27, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 27, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 2, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 27, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IU31611

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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