NCT06473987

Brief Summary

Problems with walking and balance are common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Walking and balance problems limit independence and increase risk for injuries due to falls. The purpose of this research study is to test the effectiveness of training that combines moving and thinking tasks, referred to as Personalized cognitive integrated sensorimotor virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) training on walking and balance ability. The study will also help to understand the changes in thinking ability and brain activity as a result of this training after a brain injury. The study will evaluate the differences between three intervention groups (n=45 each): 1) personalized cognitive integrated sensorimotor VR/AR training (CMT), 2) traditional dual-task training (CTRL), and 3) standard of care (SOC) on gait, balance, community ambulation, and cognitive functions, as well as underlying biomechanical and neurophysiological mechanisms to understand the changes due to CMT.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
135

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
29mo left

Started Dec 2024

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress39%
Dec 2024Sep 2028

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 19, 2024

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 25, 2024

Completed
5 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 1, 2024

Completed
3.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 31, 2028

Expected
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 29, 2028

Last Updated

November 27, 2024

Status Verified

September 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

3.7 years

First QC Date

June 19, 2024

Last Update Submit

November 25, 2024

Conditions

Keywords

Traumatic Brain InjuryGaitBalanceCognitionAmbulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (16)

  • 10 Meter walk test

    Participants will be asked to walk about 12 meters. The time taken to walk 10 meters will be recorded.

    10 weeks

  • Timed Up and Go (TUG)

    TUG is a clinical test of functional gait abilities and dynamic balance. The participants will be asked to walk a distance of 3 meters from a seated position, turn around, walk back to the chair and sit back in the chair. The time taken to perform the task will be recorded using a stop watch. The TUG will be repeated multiple times. The participant may be asked to hold a plastic cup or count backwards by three from a randomly selected number while walking.

    10 weeks

  • Berg balance Assessment:

    This is a test that measures balance on a 5-point during routine tasks. The participant will be asked to perform 14 tasks involving: sitting, standing, reaching, lifting, and turning.

    10 weeks

  • Digit Span (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale [WAIS-IV])

    This test assesses attention and working memory.

    10 weeks

  • Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test

    This test assesses the allocation of limited attentional capacities to deal with an abundance of environmental stimulation. The test measures attention and the ability to inhibit response that may interfere with the ability to achieve goals.

    10 weeks

  • Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)

    This test assesses processing speed without a motor component

    10 weeks

  • Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT)

    This test assesses information processing speed \& ability and working memory

    10 weeks

  • Letter-Number Sequencing (WAIS-IV)

    This test assesses working memory

    10 weeks

  • Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System

    Selected subtests to assess executive function.

    10 weeks

  • Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Revised

    This test assesses acquisition and delayed recall of verbal information.

    10 weeks

  • Temporal and spatial characteristics

    This test assess gait deviations and symmetry

    10 weeks

  • Fall Risk

    The silver index will be measured using the Hunova (Movendo Srl., Italy) to quantify the risk of falls. The Silver Index tasks include static balance while eyes are open or closed, dynamic balance while standing on passive and elastic surfaces, limits of stability, reactive balance during perturbations, 6-meter walk, and sit-to-stand.

    10 weeks

  • Balance

    Root-mean-square of COM and COP displacements will be used to quantify static and dynamic balance during Silver Index tasks. COP will be obtained from Hunova. Whole body COM will be obtained using motion capture.

    10 weeks

  • Neurophysiological- Maximum increase in O2Hb concentration in cortical regions

    The change in the hemoglobin concentration in response to a metabolic event (neuronal) such as walking is known as the hemodynamic response (HDR) of the brain. The maximum increase following a task will be quantified as net cortical responsivity to task using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)

    10 weeks

  • Participation Objective, Participation Subjective (POPS)

    POPS assesses perspectives of the respondent regarding participation in home \& community, and societal/normative ("outsider") evaluation. POPS consists of 26 items sorted into 5 categories \[a) Domestic Life, b) Major Life Activities, c) Transportation, d) Interpersonal Interactions and Relationships, e) Community, Recreational and Civic Life\].

    10 weeks

  • Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI)

    This assesses QoL in people with TBI and is a 37-item scale with six subscales. The first part assesses "satisfaction level" with Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and is composed of 6 overall items and 29 items assigned to 4 subscales: a) thinking, b) feelings and emotion, c) autonomy in daily life, and d) social aspects. The second part is devoted to "bothered" questions and composed of 12 items in 2 subscales: a) negative feelings, and b) restrictions. Responses to the 'satisfaction' items are coded on a 1 to 5 scale, where 1= "not at all satisfied" and 5= "very satisfied". Responses to the 'bothered' items are reverse scored to correspond with the satisfaction items, where 1=" very bothered" and 5= "not at all bothered".

    10 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (9)

  • 6 Minute Walk Test

    10 weeks

  • Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)

    10 weeks

  • Walking While Talking Test

    10 weeks

  • Area under the curve (AOC)

    10 weeks

  • minimum change in O2Hb

    10 weeks

  • +4 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (3)

Personalized cognitive-sensorimotor VR/AR training

EXPERIMENTAL

Thinking task integrated walking and balance training program

Other: Personalized cognitive-sensorimotor VR/AR training

Traditional dual-task training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Walking and balance training similar to standard of care group but will also perform additional thinking tasks during training.

Other: Traditional dual-task training

Standard of Care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Standard walking and balance training

Other: Standard of Care

Interventions

Thinking task integrated walking and balance training program

Also known as: cognitive-motor training
Personalized cognitive-sensorimotor VR/AR training

Walking and balance training similar to standard of care group but will also perform additional thinking tasks during training

Also known as: Dual task training
Traditional dual-task training

Standard walking and balance training

Also known as: conventional training
Standard of Care

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Be between 18-65 years of age.
  • Be a person living with TBI for at least 6 months.
  • Be able to follow directions and commands.
  • Be able to speak and understand English well as evaluated by a test I will be given by the researchers.
  • Not have amnesia (as determined by study staff based on a Post Traumatic Amnesia O-log score of \> 20 on 2 consecutive days)
  • Have approval from a physician to participate.
  • Have no history of injury or problems with my legs in the past 6 months or any medical issue which would interfere with my ability to bear weight on my legs and walk (such as a bone or muscle injury).
  • No double vision (diplopia) or other vision problems (such as nystagmus, as determined by study staff)
  • Have joint passive range of motion within normal functional limits for walking as determined by study staff.
  • Have a walking speed of less than 0.8 m/s as determined by study staff.
  • Be able to stand for 5 minutes.

You may not qualify if:

  • I have uncontrolled or unstable seizure disorder (such as epilepsy).
  • I have pre-existing condition that makes it difficult for me to exercise (such as diagnosed high blood pressure that is not controlled, heart disease, irregular heart rate or rhythm, or congestive heart failure).
  • I have muscle or nervous system problems other than TBI (such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's disease)
  • Have any joint or muscle tightness that would limit my movement while walking.
  • I have any medical issue that prevents me from supporting my weight (such as bone or muscle injuries, pain, or severe muscle spasms).
  • I have been diagnosed with cognitive (thinking) problems prior to TBI.
  • I have severe dizziness (Dizziness Handicap Inventory score greater than 54 (as measured by study staff).
  • I have skin issues that would prevent me from wearing a safety harness.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Kessler Foundation

West Orange, New Jersey, 07052, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Brain Injuries, Traumatic

Interventions

Standard of Care

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain InjuriesBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesCraniocerebral TraumaTrauma, Nervous SystemWounds and Injuries

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Quality Indicators, Health CareQuality of Health CareHealth Services AdministrationHealth Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Study Officials

  • Kiran K Karunakaran, PhD

    Kessler Foundation

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Kiran K Karunakaran, Ph.D.

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
Single-blind randomized clinical trial
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 19, 2024

First Posted

June 25, 2024

Study Start

December 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 31, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 29, 2028

Last Updated

November 27, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-09

Locations