Mimicking Slipping Responses Using a Novel Mechanical Perturbation Algorithm

NCT05890755 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2023-00213
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 43
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Healthy subjects will be invited to fill out a questionnaire regarding falls and balance skills followed by normal walking trials on a treadmill at 9 different speeds (0.28-1.4 m/s). Key gait parameters for the normative database will be collected. During the perturbation trials, the subjects will walk at a constant speed (1.2 m/s). The treadmill belts are ac, - or decelerated during the perturbations according to three different perturbation algorithms with varying perturbation onset. Movements will be analyzed by 3D motion capture, force plates, surface electromyography and IMU sensors. All methods are non-invasive and commonly used in the field of biomechanics.

Conditions

Gait, Stumbling; Gait, Perturbation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Calculation of Margins of Stability (MoS) in anterior-posterior direction at foot contact

  Difference between base of support and interpolated center of mass (mm), based on 3D motion capture.

  Once during visit 1

• Step length at baseline, before (Pre) and after (Recovery step 1-10) perturbation

  Once during visit 1

Secondary Outcomes (12)

• Step width at foot contact of baseline, before (Pre) and Recovery steps 1-10

  Once during visit 1

• Calculation of Margin of stability medial-lateral direction at foot contact of baseline, before (Pre) and Recovery steps 1-10

  Once during visit 1

• Maximal trunk velocity during gait cycle at of baseline, before (Pre) and Recovery steps 1-10 to detect fast trunk movement to gain balance

  Once during visit 1

• 3D kinematic gait profiles to analyze detailed movement patterns/strategies

  Once during visit 1

• EMG analysis to detect reaction time and activity patterns of different leg muscles

  Once during visit 1

Study Arms (2)

Healthy participants between 18 and 40 years of age

Other: Mechanical pertubation

Healthy participants between 60 and 80 years of age

Other: Mechanical pertubation

Interventions

Mechanical pertubation OTHER

Acceleration or deacceleration of one treadmill gait belt.

Healthy participants between 18 and 40 years of age; Healthy participants between 60 and 80 years of age

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy population

You may qualify if:

• Healthy subjects aged 18-40 years and 60-80 years
• Ability to walk at minimum 30 minutes at a regular pace without assistance or breaks
• Written informed consent as documented by signature (see informed consent form)

You may not qualify if:

• Women who are pregnant or breast feeding
• Current neurological problems affecting walking function and balance
• Current orthopedic problems affecting upper and lower extremity movements
• History of alcohol abuse or the intake of psychotropic drugs
• History of major cardiac condition (e.g., infarction, insufficiency (NYHA II-IV))
• History of major pulmonary condition (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (GOLD II-IV))
• Current major depression or psychosis
• Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia
• Fever of unknown origin

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Zurich: lead

Study Sites (1)

Balgrist Campus

Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8008, Switzerland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Gait Disorders, Neurologic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Linard Filli, Dr.

  University of Zurich

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 31, 2023
• First Posted: June 6, 2023
• Study Start: June 6, 2023
• Primary Completion: December 6, 2024
• Study Completion: December 6, 2024
• Last Updated: August 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CH (1)