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RecruitingNCT06473987CMTUpdated Nov 27, 2024

Personalized Cognitive Integrated Motor Training Using Virtual Reality to Improve Gait and Balance

An interventional study of Personalized cognitive-sensorimotor VR/AR training and Traditional dual-task training in Traumatic Brain Injury, sponsored by Kessler Foundation. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-11-27.

Sponsored by Kessler Foundation · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
135
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study 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.

Read the detailed description

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects 2.87 million people annually in the US and is a leading cause of long-term disability. TBI impairs both cognitive and sensorimotor functions, with debilitating consequences on ambulation (gait \& balance), which persist during the chronic stages of recovery. Individuals with TBI-induced gait \& balance dysfunction are at a higher risk of falls leading to another TBI. Gait \& balance control is a complex interplay between various cognitive and motor processes, and disruption of any of these processes can severely affect gait \& balance and result in falls. Research examining TBI-related changes in cognitive demands associated with gait \& balance control has shown increased cognitive demand to perform gait \& balance tasks in individuals with TBI, with increases in cognitive demand for more complex tasks. This strong link between cognitive (attention, processing speed \& executive function) and sensorimotor functions is the basis for the proposed project. The investigators aim to strengthen this inseparable link using a novel cognitive-motor intervention.

The investigators propose a training regimen, cognitive integrated sensorimotor training (CMT), which increases the cognitive-motor effort to perform the tasks. CMT uses virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) to employ the cognitive system to perform the motor task in order to train the inseparable cognitive and motor components that are critically important for gait \& balance function. Here the cognitive task is "incorporated" into the motor task, as the cognitive task is a relevant prerequisite for successfully completing the sensorimotor task. The investigators hypothesize that CMT will maximize gait \& balance function and reduce falls in adults with TBI.

The study will evaluate the differences between three intervention groups (n=45 each): a) personalized cognitive integrated sensorimotor VR/AR training (CMT), b) traditional dual-task training (CTRL), and c) 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.

02

Conditions studied

  • Traumatic Brain Injury

Keywords

  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Gait
  • Balance
  • Cognition
  • Ambulation
03

In context

Brain Injuries, Traumatic

1,818 studies on the registry are indexed under Brain Injuries, Traumatic; 460 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 135 is above the median of 55 across 1,158 interventional studies indexed under Brain Injuries, Traumatic.

Browse Brain Injuries, Traumatic studies →

Lead sponsor

Kessler Foundation is the lead sponsor of 174 studies on the registry; 60 are open to participants now.

Of its 5 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 0 (0%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • 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.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
135 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Personalized cognitive-sensorimotor VR/AR training

    Thinking task integrated walking and balance training program

    Other: Personalized cognitive-sensorimotor VR/AR training

  • Active comparator
    Traditional dual-task training

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

    Other: Traditional dual-task training

  • Active comparator
    Standard of Care

    Standard walking and balance training

    Other: Standard of Care

Interventions

  • OtherPersonalized cognitive-sensorimotor VR/AR training

    Thinking task integrated walking and balance training program

    Also known as: cognitive-motor training

  • OtherTraditional dual-task 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

  • OtherStandard of Care

    Standard walking and balance training

    Also known as: conventional training

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. 10 Meter walk test

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

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  2. 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.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  3. 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.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

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

    This test assesses attention and working memory.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  5. 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.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  6. Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)

    This test assesses processing speed without a motor component

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  7. Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT)

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

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  8. Letter-Number Sequencing (WAIS-IV)

    This test assesses working memory

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  9. Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System

    Selected subtests to assess executive function.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  10. Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Revised

    This test assesses acquisition and delayed recall of verbal information.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  11. Temporal and spatial characteristics

    This test assess gait deviations and symmetry

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  12. 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.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  13. 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.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  14. 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)

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  15. 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 \[a) Domestic Life, b) Major Life Activities, c) Transportation, d) Interpersonal Interactions and Relationships, e) Community, Recreational and Civic Life\].

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  16. 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".

    Time frame: 10 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. 6 Minute Walk Test

    Participants walk as far as possible for 6 minutes. They walk back and forth around the cones along an unobstructed pathway of 15 meters. They will be permitted to slow down or stop as necessary. The distance covered by the participant for the 6 minutes will be recorded at an interval of every 30 seconds using a measuring wheel and stop watch.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  2. Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)

    DGI is a measurement tool commonly used to assess dynamic balance, gait and risk for falls29. It consists of a total of eight gait assessments which can be scored on a four-point ordinal scale, ranging from 0-3, where '0' indicates the lowest level of function and '3' the highest level of function, allowing for a total possible score of 24.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  3. Walking While Talking Test

    The participants walk 20 ft, turn, and return while reciting the alphabet aloud from a given alphabet (simple) or alternate alphabets (complex).

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  4. Area under the curve (AOC)

    AOC of O2Hb for each region of interest will be computed

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  5. minimum change in O2Hb

    The minimum change following a task will be quantified using fNIRS.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  6. functional connectivity

    Functional connectivity between channels during rest and walking will be evaluated.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  7. Electromyography

    Electromygraphy (EMG) will be recorded as a complementary measure to fNIRS. Bilateral muscle responses from lower extremities will be recorded via surface EMG.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  8. Community Integration Questionnaire (CIT)

    The questionnaire is used to assess the societal role limitations and community integration of people with TBI. The CIT contains 15 items assessing community integration across three domains: a) Home integration (10 Points), b) Social integration (12 points), and c) Productive activity (7 points). Total scores ranges from 0 to 29 points. High scores represent greater independence and community integration.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

  9. Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS)

    Instrument to assess the ability to perform a variety of activities, skills, and tasks. PCRS is a 30-item self-report that asks the person with TBI to rank their ability to accomplish common daily activities (ADL, behavioral and emotional functions, cognitive and physical abilities) on a 5-point scale. An informant (relative, caregiver, or therapist) also rates the person with TBI on the same items.

    Time frame: 10 weeks

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Kessler Foundation
    West Orange, New Jersey 07052, United States
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Start is estimated for Dec 2024; primary completion for Jul 2028, 43 months later.

Of 491 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Brain Injuries, Traumatic, half reached primary completion within 37 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 22 and three quarters within 64. This study's planned 43 months is above that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 515 studies reached it within 36 months; a quarter within 21 and three quarters within 64.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jun 19, 2024
First posted
Jun 25, 2024
StartEst.
Dec 1, 2024
Primary completionEst.
Jul 31, 2028
CompletionEst.
Sep 29, 2028
Last update
Nov 27, 2024
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 27, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06473987
Lead sponsor
Kessler Foundation
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jun 25, 2024
Start date
Dec 1, 2024 (estimated)
Primary completion
Jul 31, 2028 (estimated)
Completion
Sep 29, 2028 (estimated)
Last update
Nov 27, 2024

Study contacts

Kiran K Karunakaran, Ph.D.
Contact
kkarunakaran@kesslerfoundation.org
973-324-3590
Kiran K Karunakaran, PhD
principal investigator · Kessler Foundation

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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