Actively Recruiting
Pain and Split-belt Motor Learning in Older Adults
Led by University of Delaware · Updated on 2025-12-04
34
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
39 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of acute pain, induced using an experimental pain paradigm of capsaicin paired with heat, on implicit locomotor learning and its retention in older adults.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Pain and Split-belt Motor Learning in Older Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 55-90 years old
- Self-identifying as generally medically healthy
- Able to read, write and speak English
- Able to provide informed consent and attend all testing sessions
- Willing to undergo the experimental pain paradigm, if selected
You will not qualify if you...
- Resting heart rate less than 50 or greater than 100 bpm
- Resting blood pressure less than 90/60 or greater than 165/95
- Any history or current mental health condition, learning/developmental disability or cognitive impairment, including severe untreated ADD/ADHD, severe untreated anxiety, severe untreated depression, autism spectrum disorder, insomnia, mild cognitive impairment, etc. (Mild to moderate treated ADD/ADHD, anxiety, and/or depression are allowed.)
- Score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) less than 23
- Score on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale 10 or higher
- Score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 2 or higher and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 10 or higher
- Any current (within last 3 months) or chronic medical conditions affecting daily living or confounding testing, such as significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, psychiatric or neurological diagnoses
- Any impaired sensation or weakness in either lower extremity
- History of serious concussion or head injury with loss of consciousness over 5 minutes and/or more than 2 concussions
- Any history of acute or chronic balance problems, dizziness, or more than 1 fall in the last 12 months
- Current or regular use of any analgesic medications or pain treatments (except baby aspirin for heart health)
- Any current or chronic pain condition in the last year with intensity over 2 out of 10
- Allergy to capsaicin or hot peppers
- Any skin lesion, breakage or irritation in the area targeted for painful stimulus
- Significant skin sensitivity to soaps, creams, perfumes, or heat
- Poor circulation in the area targeted for painful stimulus
- Prior participation in a split-belt locomotor learning study in the Neuromotor Behavior Lab within the past 2 years
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Health Sciences Complex
Newark, Delaware, United States, 19713
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Ashley Fath
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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