The goal of this study is to learn if manipulating the brain using magnets works to treat balance impairment, a major cause of falls, in older adults with balance problems. The technique to manipulate the brain using magnets is known as transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
* How does TMS change communication between brain areas? * Does TMS improve balance ability in older adults with balance problems? Researchers will compare the TMS group to a placebo group to see if manipulating the brain using magnets works to treat balance impairment.
Participants will:
* Receive TMS or placebo stimulation for 4 weeks. * Visit the laboratory for checkups and tests 3 times.
None
Inability to provide informed consent.
Non-English speaking.
Have contraindications to TMS based on TMS Adult Safety Screen (e.g., pregnancy, metal in the brain/skull, neurostimulator, pacemaker, infusion device, medication to treat mental illness)
Unintentional weight loss of ≥10 pounds over the past year.
Parallel
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
DeviceTMS (in the form of theta burst stimulations) will be delivered over Supplementary Motor Area while the subject is seated in the Treatment group. TMS is capable to induce neuroplastic facilitatory changes in the brain that last beyond the duration of stimulation. TMS will be delivered once daily, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sham
DeviceSham TMS will be delivered in the sham group using a sham coil once daily, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks.
Electroencephalography functional connectivity
Electroencephalography (EEG) will be used to measure the brain activity. The brain circuitry responsible for balance will be evaluated with EEG projected onto individual anatomical MRI. Directed functional connectivity between two regions of activation will be computed. The higher the functional connectivity coefficient, the stronger the connectivity.
miniBESTest
It provides a comprehensive assessment of anticipatory and reactive postural control, sensory orientation, and dynamic gait.
Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scale (Aim 2)
It consists of 16 items describing different situations that might lead to a loss of balance. For each time, scoring is done from 0-100 (0 is no confidence and 100 is full confidence). The total score is calculated by adding up all the individual item scores and dividing by 16. The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence total score is known to predict falls in elderly subjects.
Root mean square of foot center of pressure on the balance task
It is calculated from the ground reaction forces.
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Weinberg Medical Physics LLC
Lead sponsor
University of Houston
Collaborator
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator
