Actively Recruiting
Vestibular Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease
Led by Johns Hopkins University · Updated on 2026-01-12
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
261 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
J
Johns Hopkins University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Nearly 2 out of 3 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience problems with balance and mobility, which places such patients at increased risk of falling. The vestibular (inner ear balance) system plays an important role in balance stability, and vestibular therapy (VT) is well-known to improve balance function in healthy older adults. In this study, the investigators will conduct a first-in-kind randomized clinical trial to evaluate whether vestibular therapy improves reduces falls in patients with AD, in whom this treatment has never been studied.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Vestibular Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of AD based on the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer Association 2011 criteria that is mild-moderate (CDR=0.5-2).
- Age ≥ 60 years.
- Vestibular loss defined as bilaterally impaired vestibular responses (semicircular canal or otolith responses).
- Able to participate in study procedures including vestibular physiologic testing, balance and gait assessment, neurocognitive testing, and VT or active control.
- Able to give informed consent, as further detailed in the Human Subjects section. The investigators anticipate that individuals who are too impaired to provide informed consent would also not be able to effectively participate in VT or active control.
- Presence of a caregiver, defined as an individual who spends at least 10 hours per week with the patient. The caregiver must be able to participate in study procedures, specifically the text-messaging system. Both the VT and active control involve 8 weeks of once weekly visits and daily home exercises, and the investigators believe a caregiver would increase the likelihood of successful completion of either therapy.
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of severe AD (CDR≥3).
- Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or diagnosis of non-AD dementia, for example Parkinson's disease dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, vascular dementia, fronto-temporal dementia, and primary progressive aphasia.
- Deemed unable to participate in study procedures and VT or active control, (e.g. patients with significant medical comorbidities, excessive agitation, or use of mobility aids such as a cane or walker.)
- Use of daily vestibular suppressant medications, specifically anti-histamines and benzodiazepines, as this can alter the response to VT.
- Lack of availability to participate in 8 weeks of VT or active control.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Y
Yuri Agrawal, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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