How does a stroke affect balance during walking?
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand how a stroke affects walking balance and why people post-stroke fall more frequently. Findings from this study could inform the design of rehabilitation interventions to improve post-stroke walking ability.
We are looking for people who have had a stroke AND healthy adults who have not had a stroke. Participants will walk on a treadmill while experiencing trips that challenge balance, but a safety harness will be worn to prevent any falls.
Keywords: stroke, post-stroke, walking, balance, treadmill
Study Sites
1540 Alcazar St. 90089
- Men & Women
What's involved?
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4 hours
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1 session
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None
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Questionnaires
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Clinical assessments of balance, motor function, and cognition
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Walking on a treadmill
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Compensation is available for successful completion of the study and campus parking is provided.
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None
Eligibility
Must have
- Had a single stroke >6 months ago
- Or no stroke or neurologic injury
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
- Ability to walk on treadmill for 5 minutes at a time without cane or walker
Can't have
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Dementia or cognitive impairment
- Musculoskeletal, vestibular, or pain conditions that interfere with walking
About This Study
We are studying how a stroke affects balance control during walking to hopefully inform future rehabilitation interventions and reduce post-stroke fall risk. We are recruiting people who have and have not had a stroke to experience different tripping conditions on a treadmill. First, we will administer clinical tests to evaluate balance, motor function, and cognition. Next, we will put sticky sensors on the body so that our computer can track movements. Then participants will walk on a treadmill for several trials, each up to 5 minutes long, with rest breaks between trials. Walking trials will include trips that challenge balance, but participants will wear a safety harness to prevent falls. The one visit to the lab should take about 4 hours.
The Risks
Participants may become tired, bored, or sore from walking, but we will provide rest breaks. It is possible that participants could lose their balance while walking, but a safety harness attached to an overhead support will prevent any falls.
Study Team
For questions about this study, contact:
- Tara Cornwell
- 1540 Alcazar St., Los Angeles, CA, 90089
- locomotorcontrol@pt.usc.edu
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