Falls Prevention: Gait-Synchronized Vibration System

NYU Langone Health

Overview

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.

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Conditions

Sensory Deficits

Interventions

Gait Synchronized Vibration SystemDEVICE

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.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Individuals aged 65 or greater. 2. Low balance confidence (scores \<80%) on the ABC Balance Confidence Scale 3. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores between 21 (moderate fall risk) and 56 (low fall risk). Exclusion Criteria: 1. No internal implantable device (i.e. Pacemaker, Intrathecal Baclofen Pump) 2. Significant painful arthritis (scores 15 or greater) as per the Short Arthritis Assessment Scale. 3. Significant cognitive deficits (scores \<2) as per Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8) questionnaire. 4. Significant visual field deficits as per the Humphrey Visual Field Analysis or significant uncorrected visual acuity deficits as per the Snellen Eye Chart. 5. Current treatment with anticoagulation medication 6. Parkinson's Disease or known Peripheral Neuropathy 7. Limitations to exercise related to cardiac, neurological or pulmonary diseases 8. Orthostatic hypotension 9. Severe osteoporosis defined by fracture history, BMD by DEXA (T score more than 2.5 standard deviations below controls in the last 2 years), or height loss of more than 3 cm 10. Current treatment with corticosteroids or aromatase inhibitor 11. Current treatment with seizure medication

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Test the efficacy of a wearable shoe sensor to detect initiation of abnormal gait patterns that increase the likelihood of falls

Investigators will use pearson's correlation tests on gait variables (cadence, velocity, stride and step lengths) on Dynamic Gait Index that correlate with visual, proprioceptive and vestibular impairments and functional indicators of fall risk (e.g., Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, Activities Specific Balance Confidence questionnaire, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Gaze Stabilization and Head Thrust Test) to determine variables that indicate an increased likelihood of falls.

Time frame: 1 hour; The entire protocol for testing the PD shoe is expected to be less than 2hours.

Secondary Outcomes

Assess effectiveness of a gait synchronized vibration system to the plantar surface in reducing fall risk.

Investigators will measure the change in gait parameters (cadence, velocity, stride and step lengths) and performance on the Dynamic Gait Index with and without vibratory stimulus.

Time frame: 1 hour; The entire protocol for testing the PD shoe is expected to be less than 2hours.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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