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Physiology of Vestibular Dysfunction and Clinical Implications

NCT01383642 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 50

Last updated 2018-08-24

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Vestibular dysfunction is a known contributor to imbalance and fall risk, and may be a precursor to the frailty phenotype seen in the elderly population. A recent study found that vestibular dysfunction is common in the US population, and that the prevalence of this impairment increases steeply with age. However, it is unknown whether the aging process has global effects on the vestibular end-organ or whether specific structures, e.g. the semicircular canals or the otoliths, are selectively impaired. Moreover, the clinical implications of specific deficits of the vestibular end-organ are unclear. As such, the aims of this proposed research are: 1) to evaluate whether the normative aging process is predominantly associated with dysfunction of the semicircular canals (as measured by caloric and angular vestibulo-ocular reflex testing) or of the otoliths (as measured by vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing); 2) to determine if there are any characteristic clinical features associated with the subtypes of vestibular dysfunction; and 3) to assess whether dysfunction of the semicircular canals or of the otoliths is associated with a higher risk of frailty and falls. The investigators plan to pursue these aims through a cross-sectional and prospective cohort study of a group of individuals age 70 and above. Vestibular physiologic tests will be administered to all study participants, and test results will be correlated with baseline clinical symptoms and frailty status as well as prospective one-year fall risk. A greater understanding of vestibular physiologic deficits and clinical implications in older individuals can inform the development of rational vestibular rehabilitation strategies that may more effectively mitigate the frailty phenotype and reduce fall risk.

Conditions

  • Dysfunction of Vestibular System
  • Accidental Falls
  • Frailty

Interventions

OTHER

No intervention, observational study

Sponsors & Collaborators

Eligibility

Min Age
70 Years
Max Age
95 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2010-07-31
Primary Completion
2013-06-30
Completion
2018-06-30

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases
Companies

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT01383642 on ClinicalTrials.gov