NCT02635113

Falls Prevention: Gait-Synchronized Vibration System

Falls Prevention Using a Gait-Synchronized Vibration System

• Status: Withdrawn
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 0 (actual)
• Sponsor: NYU Langone Health · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to develop an abnormal gait detection algorithm and a vibratory stimulation system on a lower limb to improve gait stability and prevent falls. The investigators want to detect, assess and communicate fall risk indicators obtained via the shoe sensors, and assess effectiveness of a gait synchronized vibration system to the plantar surface in reducing fall risk.The system consists of a gait measurement module, an abnormal gait detection module, and a vibratory stimulation module.

Detailed description

Forty (40) Individuals with decreased confidence in ambulatory scores (\<80%) as per the Activities Specific Balance Confidence questionnaire, will undergo functional assessments for visual (Snellen chart, Humphrey Visual Field Testing, Gaze Stabilization test, depth perception evaluation), vestibular (Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Head Thrust test) and proprioceptive (Balance Master, Berg Balance Scale, Joint Position Sense) impairments, to evaluate factors which might contribute to increased falls risk. Participants will be asked to walk return for a second visit and to walk with a shoe sensor and gait synchronized vibratory stimulus under conditions of (1) Baseline performance on the Six Minute Walk test (2) Performance on the Six Minute Walk test and Dynamic Gait Index without vibratory stimulus (3) Performance on the Six Minute Walk test and Dynamic Gait Index with vibratory stimulus.

Conditions

• Sensory Deficits

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Gait Synchronized Vibration System	A wearable vibratory shoe that delivers stimulus to the soles that is synchronized with step resulting in improved gait.The shoe consists of two externally mounted vibration units (tactors). The vibration units allow for variation of both frequency and amplitude of stimulation independently. Using the pressure sensors and timing data, gait velocity, cadence, swing time, stance phase and double support time will be analyzed to assess features of their gait performance during the Dynamic Gait Index with and without vibratory stimuli.

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-11-30
• Primary completion: 2018-11-30
• Completion: 2018-11-30
• First posted: 2015-12-18
• Last updated: 2019-01-10