Actively Recruiting
Aging With a Traumatic Brain Injury: Implications for Balance Deficits and Fall Risk
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2026-04-24
70
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how a moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) experienced in early or middle adulthood may affect balance, cognitive function, and aging in Veterans aged 50 to 75 years. The study aims to understand if those with a history of moderate TBI, despite feeling fully recovered, have poorer performance on balance and cognitive tests compared to Veterans without TBI. This research hopes to guide future rehabilitation and lifestyle interventions to help Veterans maintain health and independence as they age. The study involves a single session of practicing complex, cognitively engaging balance tasks using an exergaming balance platform. Both participants with and without TBI history will complete the same intervention. Researchers will compare balance control and cognitive function between the two groups and assess the potential for learning and improvement from the balance practice. Participants will be assessed before and immediately after the balance session using measures such as Center of Pressure control to evaluate balance performance. Additional assessments will focus on cognitive and oculomotor functions related to balance and fall risk. The study will also explore relationships between injury severity and motor or cognitive performance within the TBI group. The total study participation includes one intervention session with evaluations conducted around that time.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Balance After Traumatic Brain Injury
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 50 and 75 years
- Prior history of moderate closed-head traumatic brain injury at least 10 years before enrollment
- Self-reported full recovery from the traumatic brain injury
- Score of 90 or higher on the Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale
- Score of 19 or higher on the telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment
- Living in the community and able to travel to the research site
You will not qualify if you...
- Neurological injury or disease other than prior moderate traumatic brain injury
- Current clinically significant post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL score over 30)
- Severe arthritis interfering with balance or mobility
- Current substance abuse
- Uncontrolled major depressive episode or severe psychiatric illness unrelated to traumatic brain injury
- Severe obesity with body mass index over 35
- Unstable cardiovascular disease
- Lung disease requiring supplemental oxygen
- Renal disease requiring dialysis
- Serious uncontrolled diabetes
- Terminal illness
- Recent myocardial infarction or major heart surgery within the past year
- Cancer treatment within the past year except for certain skin or early stage cancers
- Uncontrolled hypertension at rest (systolic over 180 mmHg or diastolic over 100 mmHg)
- Bone fracture within the past year
- Hip joint replacement or metal implants preventing accurate bone density assessment
- Use of medications known to affect bone mineral density within past 180 days
- Chronic use of systemic glucocorticoids over 7.5 mg/day prednisone equivalent
- Current physical therapy for lower extremity function
- Enrollment in other clinical trials that may affect safety or study integrity
- Inability to communicate sufficiently or non-English speaking
- Other medical conditions affecting balance, cognition, or eye movement
- Investigator judgment regarding safety or compliance issues
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants complete a single session practicing complex balance tasks using an exergaming balance platform to evaluate balance control and cognitive engagement.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Same day as intervention
Participants undergo assessment immediately following the intervention to measure changes in balance control.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32608-1135
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
David J Clark, DSc
B
Brigette Cox, BS
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
1
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