How does a stroke affect balance during walking?

Objetivo

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.

Palabras clave: stroke, post-stroke, walking, balance, treadmill

Sitios de estudio

1540 Alcazar St. 90089

 
  • Men & Women
Age icon
18 - 85
 
 
If you have any questions, please contact us at locomotorcontrol@pt.usc.edu.
O
 

¿Qué hay involucrado?

Duración del ensayo
  • 4 hours

Número de visitas
  • 1 session

Prescripción
  • None

Procedimiento
  • Questionnaires

  • Clinical assessments of balance, motor function, and cognition

  • Walking on a treadmill

Compensation
  • Compensation is available for successful completion of the study and campus parking is provided.

Cobertura de gastos médicos
  • None

Why participate?

Your participation will help us understand how a stroke affects balance. Results from this study could help improve rehab and reduce falls post-stroke.

Elegibilidad

Criterios de inclusión


  • 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

Criterios de exclusión


  • 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.

Equipo del Programa

Photohandler
Investigador Principal
James Finley, PhD

For questions about this study, contact:

We respect your privacy!

Toda la información que usted nos dé será guardada en una base de datos segura y protegida. Toda la información que usted decida compartir se mantendrá de manera confidencial y privada. Lea la Política de Privacidad de la universidad University of Southern California aquí.