Virtual Gait System Intervention in Older People

Summary

Previous studies have shown that the neuroplasticity of the residual corticospinal fibers, the motor cortex and the spinal neurons plays an important role in the spontaneous functional recovery of people with neurological or musculoskeletal pathology. However, it is also possible to stimulate the neuroplasticity mechanisms of these structures through techniques aimed at rehabilitating different deficits (for example, motor function or sensitivity). In general, intervention programs are usually carried out, in most cases, using low-cost strategies such as therapeutic physical exercise programs.

The objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of visual illusion therapies in combination with conventional exercises on the symptoms and signs related to elderly people.

The study will include the realization of three measurements that will be carried out one day before starting the program, one day after finishing it, and one month later (follow-up).

The clinical assessment will be composed of the study of the following variables: Motor function and motor skills, Upper limb isometric force, Muscle activation, Muscle tone, Quality of life, Functionality. All interventions will last eight weeks and will be planned according to the availability of volunteers. In each session, it will be recorded if any type of adverse effect occurs. There will be four types of interventions: i. Visual Illusion (IV) and therapeutic exercise program (PE), ii.placebo and PE, iii. IV, iv. IV placebo.

Conditions

• Elderly People

Interventions

OTHER

Virtual Gait

Virtual Gait: the patient will be placed in a standing position (with an ad-hoc designed help system) in front of a mirror (from the waist up) and a screen (from the waist down) where a video of legs walking on a treadmill will be projected and overcoming obstacles. Projected legs will be customized based on height, using the tibia length method.

OTHER

Physical exercise

PE: it will be divided into two parts: in the first one, a gait technique training will be carried out and, in the second, a leg strength training, for 30 min. Exercises: * Coordination exercises: normal and lateral parallel walking and walking with obstacles. * Functional exercises such as climbing stairs, etc. * Lower limb strength exercises. Strength exercises will be prescribed according to the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Progression will be customized based on individual abilities.

OTHER

Sham Virtual Gait

only the placebo virtual gait.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Valencia

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

99 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-01-01

Primary Completion

2022-09-10

Completion

2022-12-30

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations