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Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training

This study is looking at whether using special Visual Occlusion Goggles can improve balance when people practice walking on a Balance Beam. Researchers want to see if briefly blocking or dimming your vision while you train helps you balance better. They will measure how your body moves, your muscle activity, and how well you walk on the balance beam before and after training. You could be eligible if you are between 18-30 or 65-89 years old, can walk independently for 10 minutes, and are willing to be assigned to any study group. The study aims to see if these visual changes lead to better balance. The current status of this trial is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 540 participants. It will include both younger (18-30) and older (65-89) adults, with an equal number of males and females.
What's involved
You would visit the lab twice. The first visit will be up to 3 hours, and the second visit, two weeks later, will be up to 1 hour. In total, your participation would be a maximum of 4 hours.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your balance changes will be measured between pre- and post-tests, with the study completed within two weeks.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06804512

Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training

Recruiting
EARLY_PHASE1Ages 18–89InterventionalBasic science
University of Florida
~540 participants
Updated 2026-02-10 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Visual Occlusion GogglesBalance Beam Walking

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Balance Changes Between Pre and Post-Tests
Measured over Each subject completes the study in two weeks

Conditions

Balance

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NCT06804512

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • The University of Florida

    Gainesville, Floridastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Daniel P Ferris, Ph.D.
[email protected]
734-834-0379
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Ages 18-30 years, or 65-89 years.
Ability to walk independently for 10 minutes continuously.
Willingness to be randomized to any experimental group and to participate in all aspects of study assessment and intervention

Exclusion

Major cognitive disorder that interferes with independence, based on affirmative response (always/usually/sometimes) to the following question: "As a result of confusion or memory loss, how often do you need assistance with day-to-day activities such as cooking, cleaning, taking medications, driving, or paying bills? Would you say it is 1) Always; 2) Usually; 3) Sometimes; 4) Rarely; or 5) Never".
Current or recent (within 6 months) lower limb musculoskeletal injury that causes pain during walking or limits walking ability.
History of neurological injury or disability (including spinal cord injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis).
Difficulty communicating with study personnel.
Current enrollment in any other clinical trial.
Low vision that cannot be corrected by wearing contact lens. Low vision will be operationally defined as visual acuity less than 20/70 on standard eye chart, or difficulty perform complex walking tasks due to visual conditions affecting accurate navigation around and over obstacles (self-reported or observed by examiner). The goggles to be used in the study do not permit eyeglasses while using them.
Illiterate or non-English speaking, due to the likelihood of difficulties following protocol instructions.

What this trial measures

  • Balance Changes Between Pre and Post-TestsEach subject completes the study in two weeks

    The primary outcome is a change in balance between the pre-test and post-tests and the pretest and follow-up. For the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up, participants will walk on the treadmill-mounted beam for 5 minutes without wearing the goggles. The pre-test will occur before the training periods begin, the post-test will occur after the training periods, and the follow-up occurs two weeks after the the first training. Step offs and time on the beam is recorded for each trial to make balance comparisons. The step offs and time on the beam used in conjunction to get step offs per minute by dividing step offs by time on the beam. Balance will be measured in step offs per minute.