Pain and Split-belt Motor Learning in Older Adults
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age55-90
SponsorUniversity of Delaware
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
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
Disqualifiers
Resting heart rate < 50 or > 100 bpm
Resting blood pressure < 90/60 or > 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) <23
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Capsaicin 0.1% cream combined with a heat pack and applied to the lower leg
BehavioralCapsaicin is applied to the skin of one of the lower legs, then covered with a heat pack that is secured to the leg with self-adhesive wrap.
Treatment groups
34 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: No PainNo intervention 0 interventions
Group B: PainExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Learning magnitude
Step length asymmetry averaged over the last 25 strides of the practice period on day 1.
Time frame
End of day 12
Retention magnitude
Step length asymmetry averaged over the first 4 strides of the re-adaptation period on day 2.
Time frame
Beginning of day 2.3
Forgetting index
Difference between retention magnitude and learning magnitude.
Time frame
End of day 1 and beginning of day 2.Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Source ClinicalTrials.gov