Neurophysiological Effects of Perturbation Training Compared to Walking Exercise in Older Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how perturbation-based training PBT compared to regular walking exercise affects postural stability and brain function in older adults. This assessor-blinded study will focus on community-dwelling individuals aged 60 and above, examining neurophysiological changes in brain structure and connectivity following these training methods. The study aims to understand how such training might influence balance and brain health over time. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups the PBT group, which will receive two sessions of treadmill walking with induced perturbations to challenge balance, or the control group, which will perform two similar sessions of treadmill walking without perturbations. Each session lasts about an hour. The study will compare behavioral and MRI findings before and after the training to identify changes caused by the interventions. Postural stability retention will be checked four months after training, and falls will be tracked for 12 months. Throughout the study, participants will undergo assessments including structural and functional MRI scans before and shortly after the intervention, along with various physical and cognitive tests. These include measures of postural stability, step recovery, muscle activation, balance confidence, cognitive flexibility, and mobility at multiple time points up to four months post-training. Falls will be monitored monthly for a year. This thorough evaluation will help researchers understand how training affects both physical balance and brain function in older adults.

Neurophysiological Changes After Perturbation-based Training in Older Adults