NCT01537341

Asymmetric Locomotor Training in the Elderly to Restore Physical Function

• Status: Withdrawn
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 0 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Florida · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years – 89 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Innovative advances in rehabilitation technology have created a split-belt treadmill capable of providing a much needed intervention aimed at limiting mobility disability. When desynchronized, the split-belt treadmill imposes demands on each leg such that the central nervous system must adapt to the challenge. Based on preliminary data from our lab utilizing the split-belt treadmill, the investigators hypothesize this intervention can challenge the locomotor processes required for safe, efficient gait while concurrently providing an aerobic stimulus will produce favorable changes in physical function in older adults at risk for mobility disability.

Detailed description

For this pilot study the investigators will enroll 20 sedentary older adults at risk for disability (usual gait speed ≤ 1.0 m/s). Participants will be assigned to one of two 12-week interventions. Therefore the final training pool will consist of 10 split-belt participants and 10 traditional treadmill participants. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that compared with a traditional treadmill intervention a split-belt treadmill intervention will result in improved mobility, as measure by 400 meter walk time, as well self reported physical function/disability as measured by the Pepper Assessment Tool for Disability. Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that compared with a traditional treadmill intervention a split-belt treadmill intervention will results in improved gait variability. To date, no experimental study has evaluated these propositions in a controlled trial testing the effects of split-belt training in older adults at risk for disability.

Conditions

• Disability

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Traditional Treadmill	Participants will complete the intervention in 12-weeks, 3 times per week sessions.
BEHAVIORAL	Split-belt	Participants will complete the intervention in 12-weeks, 3 times per week sessions.

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-04-01
• Primary completion: 2012-04-01
• Completion: 2012-04-01
• First posted: 2012-02-23
• Last updated: 2013-07-19