Long-Term Effects of Torso-Weighting
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Obesity Weight Loss, Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Endocrinology, Neurology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 11/8/2018 |
| Start Date: | November 2015 |
| End Date: | June 2016 |
Long-Term Effects of Balance-Based Torso-Weighting: Pilot Study
The goal of this pilot study is to test the protocol for investigating the longer-term
effects of torso weighting on physical activity, number of falls, and muscle activation (when
muscles turn on and off and how intensely) in five volunteers with multiple sclerosis. The
hypotheses of this study include: torso weighting will (1) increase physical activity, (2)
decrease the number of falls, and (3) improve the timing and coordination of muscle
activation during balance perturbations.
effects of torso weighting on physical activity, number of falls, and muscle activation (when
muscles turn on and off and how intensely) in five volunteers with multiple sclerosis. The
hypotheses of this study include: torso weighting will (1) increase physical activity, (2)
decrease the number of falls, and (3) improve the timing and coordination of muscle
activation during balance perturbations.
Torso weighting, using the balance-based torso-weighting (BBTW) method, is an intervention
that addresses balance by first challenging stability in standing using a series of
perturbations (nudges) and resisted rotations to people. Challenging stability allows the
assessor to determine directional instability. Once the direction of instability is
determined, small weights are placed on a vest-like garment and retesting of balance occurs.
In this study, participants will be tested with no weights (NW), with sham weights (SW), and
with BBTW weighting (WT). Following non-weighted baseline assessment, participants will be
randomly allocated into the sham weight condition or BBTW weight condition in a cross-over
design. The initial condition (NW) will last four weeks and the final two conditions (SW,WT)
will last two weeks each. Following each condition, outcome measures will be reassessed.
Throughout the study, participants will be asked to wear a commercially-available remote
monitoring device (e.g., Fitbit Flex) and keep a daily log of physical activity and number of
falls. During the SW and WT conditions, participants will wear the assigned garment for 2-4
hours daily.
that addresses balance by first challenging stability in standing using a series of
perturbations (nudges) and resisted rotations to people. Challenging stability allows the
assessor to determine directional instability. Once the direction of instability is
determined, small weights are placed on a vest-like garment and retesting of balance occurs.
In this study, participants will be tested with no weights (NW), with sham weights (SW), and
with BBTW weighting (WT). Following non-weighted baseline assessment, participants will be
randomly allocated into the sham weight condition or BBTW weight condition in a cross-over
design. The initial condition (NW) will last four weeks and the final two conditions (SW,WT)
will last two weeks each. Following each condition, outcome measures will be reassessed.
Throughout the study, participants will be asked to wear a commercially-available remote
monitoring device (e.g., Fitbit Flex) and keep a daily log of physical activity and number of
falls. During the SW and WT conditions, participants will wear the assigned garment for 2-4
hours daily.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Self-reported a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
- Self-reported mild or moderate gait or balance difficulties
- Living in the community rather than in a care facility
- Able to walk independently for at least one minute at a time with or without an
assistive device
- No exacerbations within the past 2 months
- Able to get to the testing area and tolerate 2-3 hours of testing for each assessment
occasion
- Willing to be nudged by a researcher when standing
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to comprehend and follow instructions in English
- Current diagnosis of other neurological disorders such as head injury, stroke,
Parkinson disease, or other conditions that affect gait or balance (self-reported)
- Experiencing pain that could be exacerbated by external perturbation while standing
- History of skin reaction to adhesives
We found this trial at
1
site
Oakland, California 94609
Principal Investigator: Gail Widener, PhD
Phone: 510-869-6511
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