Cortical Mechanisms and Modulation of Somatosensation in Older Adults With Foot Sole Somatosensory Impairments

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the use of noninvasive brain stimulation to improve foot sole sensation, balance, and mobility in older adults who have mild-to-moderate sensory impairments in their feet. This study focuses on understanding how stimulating brain networks that process sensory feedback can help with these issues, which are common in older adults and affect their stability and movement. The project is led by Hebrew SeniorLife and does not involve drug treatments but uses device-based brain stimulation methods. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive real transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which applies weak electrical currents to the scalp to increase brain activity related to sensory processing; the other group will receive a sham (placebo-like) stimulation that mimics the sensations of tDCS without delivering effective currents. The stimulation sessions last 20 minutes, and the current used will not exceed safety limits. The study uses triple masking to keep participants and researchers unaware of group assignments. During the study, participants will undergo various assessments before and immediately after the intervention, including tests of balance (such as postural sway while standing with eyes closed on foam), mobility (Timed Up-and-Go time), brain activity responses to foot sole stimulation using imaging, and foot sole sensitivity. Secondary measures include gait speed and postural sway speed. The total participation period includes these evaluations around the stimulation sessions. Safety and tolerability are monitored throughout the study.

Brain Stimulation for Foot-sole Sensation in Older Adults With Foot-sole Somatosensory Deficits