Actively Recruiting
Brain Stimulation for Foot-sole Sensation in Older Adults With Foot-sole Somatosensory Deficits
Led by Hebrew SeniorLife · Updated on 2026-04-22
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
44 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
H
Hebrew SeniorLife
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
In older adults, diminished sensation of the legs and feet is highly prevalent and causes poor balance and reduced mobility. This type of sensation is not only dependent upon the receptors and nerves in the legs and feet, but also upon a complex central nervous system pathway that includes the cerebral cortex of the brain. This project will use a form of noninvasive brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to test whether increasing the excitability of the brain networks that process sensory feedback can augment foot sole sensation, balance, and mobility in older adults suffering from mild-to-moderate foot sole sensory impairments.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Brain Stimulation for Foot-sole Sensation in Older Adults With Foot-sole Somatosensory Deficits
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged 65 years or older
- Self-reported feeling of unsteadiness or difficulty when standing and walking
- Mild-to-moderate foot-sole sensory impairment: can feel 75g monofilament but not 10g monofilament
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to stand or walk continuously for one minute without personal assistance (canes or walkers allowed)
- History or presence of foot ulceration, amputation, or deformities
- Uncontrolled pain or pain causing mobility disability
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
- Hospitalization within past three months due to acute illness or musculoskeletal injury affecting balance
- Persistent severe lower extremity pain when standing or walking
- Diagnosis of dementia, Parkinson's disease, or stroke affecting balance
- Unstable medical condition
- Legal blindness or deafness
- Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP >180, diastolic BP >100 mm Hg, or use of 6 anti-hypertensive medications)
- Functionally limiting kidney or liver disease, renal or congestive heart failure
- Active cancer treatment
- Balance disorders from chemotherapy or Guillain-Barr�e9 syndrome
- Use of neuro-active or recreational drugs or alcohol abuse affecting brain excitability
- Contraindications to MRI or tDCS (e.g., seizures, epilepsy, implants, claustrophobia, brain surgery)
- Persistent vertigo
- History of Charcot-Marie-Tooth nerve disease
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Hebrew SeniorLife
Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States, 02131
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Junhong Zhou, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here