NCT05734443

Effects of Task-Specific Step Training on Reactive Balance

Effects of Task-Specific Step Training on Reactive Balance After Laboratory-Induced Trips: A Pilot Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate a novel and pragmatic (i.e., not requiring specialized equipment) task-specific step training regimen that aims to improve reactive balance after tripping. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does this step training regimen improve reactive balance after tripping compared to no training? * How well does this step training regimen improve reactive balance compared to treadmill training, which is a more commonly studied reactive balance training regimen that uses a specialized treadmill. Participants will: * complete step training or treadmill training (or no training if assigned to the control group) twice a week for three weeks * experience a laboratory-induced trip three weeks later to evaluate their reactive balance

Conditions

• Accidental Fall

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	step training	Participants practice volitional and reactive stepping responses that mimic those needed when recovering balance after tripping.
BEHAVIORAL	treadmill training	Sudden treadmill changes in speed (from standing) induce trip-like losses of balance, after which participants take steps to recover balance and establish a stable gait pattern. This is repeated over a range of speeds to both provide training variability and to individualize training to each participant's capability.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-11-01
• Primary completion: 2023-08-01
• Completion: 2023-08-01
• First posted: 2023-02-21
• Last updated: 2025-09-24
• Results posted: 2025-09-24

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States