Phase 1 N=23 Randomized Single-blind Other

Spinal Excitation to Enhance Mobility

Aging

Bottom Line

View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03667573 ↗

Enrolled (actual)

Serious AEs

0.0%

Results posted

Jul 2023

Primary outcome: Primary: Walking Speed Change From Baseline — .054; .078; .085; .039 meters/second

Study Design & Population

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 1
Interventions: tsDCS Dosage (A) (Device); tsDCS Dosage (B) (Device); textured shoe insoles (Other)
Age: Older Adult · 65+ yrs
Sex: All
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
Primary completion: Aug 2021

Outcome Measures

Outcome	Result	p-value
PRIMARY Walking Speed Change From Baseline	.054; .078; .085; .039	—
SECONDARY Prefrontal fNIRS Change From Baseline	-1.21; 0.24; 0.14; 0.17	—

Summary

Older adults with compromised walking ability have higher rates of morbidity and mortality, more hospitalizations, poorer quality of life, and are less likely to remain independent in the community. It is known that age-related changes in brain and peripheral nerves contribute to loss of walking ability. However, there is a lack of research into how the aging spinal cord affects walking. In older adults, the spinal cord is less excitable, conducts signals more slowly, and is subject to neural noise. Intervening on age-related impairment of the spinal cord to improve walking ability is a very promising but untapped area of research.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Preferred 10m walking speed 180 mmHg and/or diastolic > 100 mmHg)
Bone fracture or joint replacement in the previous six months
Current participation in physical therapy for lower extremity function or cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
Current enrollment in any clinical trial
Planning to relocate out of the area during the study period
Clinical judgment of investigative team

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Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03667573). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.