Trial Outcomes & Findings for Head-Mounted Vibrotactile Prosthesis for Patients With Chronic Postural Instability (NCT NCT03330262)

NCT ID: NCT03330262

Last Updated: 2021-03-10

Results Overview

This outcome compared the Dynamic Gait Index score when the BALCAP prosthesis was worn vs. when it was not worn at baseline in order to evaluate if there is an assistive benefit to wearing the device. The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a clinical tool to assess gait, balance, and fall risk using various walking tasks. The range of scores is 0 to 24. A higher score is better. All participants performed this test at baseline both wearing the BALCAP and not wearing the BALCAP. This test does not measure a change in DGI score over time but compares the results of the test while wearing the BALCAP vs. not wearing the BALCAP during the same evaluation period (baseline).

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

13 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Week 0 (baseline)

Results posted on

2021-03-10

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
BALCAP Prosthesis, Then Control
Participants were asked to perform a series of appropriate exercises daily at home wearing the BALCAP prosthesis for a period of 6 weeks. After the 6 weeks of the BALCAP intervention, participants performed the control condition (the same exercises without the BALCAP worn). Tests were performed before and after each 6 week period. The training exercises included: (1) standing on a firm surface with feet apart, eyes open and closed; (2) standing on a firm surface with feet together, eyes open and closed; (3) standing on thick footing (e.g., multiple pairs of socks) with feet apart, eyes open and closed; (4) standing on thick footing with feet together, eyes open and closed; (5) standing in a modified Romberg position on a firm surface, eyes open and closed; (6) standing in a Romberg position on a firm surface, eyes open and closed; (7) walking on a firm surface eyes open; (8) walking with thick footing, eyes open; (9) walking with head turns and tilts, eyes open; and (10) walking around a room, incorporating turns and movements other than straight forward walking, eyes open. BALCAP prosthesis: The noninvasive BALCAP prosthesis offers uses six degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) sensing to detect postural imbalance and actuate low-amplitude vibrotactile cues directly to the head to provide the wearer with feedback concerning head tilt in the pitch and roll plane.
Control, Then BALCAP Prosthesis
Participants were asked to perform a series of appropriate exercises daily at home for a period of 6 weeks without wearing the BALCAP prosthesis (control condition), followed by another 6 weeks of the same exercises with the BALCAP prosthesis (intervention condition). Tests were performed before and after each 6 week period. The training exercises included: (1) standing on a firm surface with feet apart, eyes open and closed; (2) standing on a firm surface with feet together, eyes open and closed; (3) standing on thick footing (e.g., multiple pairs of socks) with feet apart, eyes open and closed; (4) standing on thick footing with feet together, eyes open and closed; (5) standing in a modified Romberg position on a firm surface, eyes open and closed; (6) standing in a Romberg position on a firm surface, eyes open and closed; (7) walking on a firm surface eyes open; (8) walking with thick footing, eyes open; (9) walking with head turns and tilts, eyes open; and (10) walking around a room, incorporating turns and movements other than straight forward walking, eyes open.
First Six Weeks
STARTED
7
6
First Six Weeks
COMPLETED
7
6
First Six Weeks
NOT COMPLETED
0
0
Second Six Weeks
STARTED
7
6
Second Six Weeks
COMPLETED
5
5
Second Six Weeks
NOT COMPLETED
2
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Head-Mounted Vibrotactile Prosthesis for Patients With Chronic Postural Instability

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
BALCAP Prosthesis, Then Control
n=7 Participants
Participants performed exercises daily at home wearing the BALCAP prosthesis for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, participants performed the control condition (the same exercises without the BALCAP). Tests were performed before and after each 6-week period. Exercises included: (1) standing on a firm surface with feet apart, eyes open and closed; (2) standing on a firm surface with feet together, eyes open and closed; (3) standing on thick footing (e.g., multiple pairs of socks) with feet apart, eyes open and closed; (4) standing on thick footing with feet together, eyes open and closed; (5) standing in a modified Romberg position on a firm surface, eyes open and closed; (6) standing in a Romberg position on a firm surface, eyes open and closed; (7) walking on a firm surface eyes open; (8) walking with thick footing, eyes open; (9) walking with head turns and tilts, eyes open; and (10) walking around a room, with turns and movements other than straight forward walking, eyes open.
Control, Then BALCAP Prosthesis
n=6 Participants
Participants performed exercises daily at home for 6 weeks without wearing the BALCAP prosthesis (control), followed by another 6 weeks of the same exercises with the BALCAP prosthesis (intervention). Tests were performed before and after each 6 week period. Exercises included: (1) standing on a firm surface with feet apart, eyes open and closed; (2) standing on a firm surface with feet together, eyes open and closed; (3) standing on thick footing (e.g., multiple pairs of socks) with feet apart, eyes open and closed; (4) standing on thick footing with feet together, eyes open and closed; (5) standing in a modified Romberg position on a firm surface, eyes open and closed; (6) standing in a Romberg position on a firm surface, eyes open and closed; (7) walking on a firm surface eyes open; (8) walking with thick footing, eyes open; (9) walking with head turns and tilts, eyes open; and (10) walking around a room, with turns and movements other than straight forward walking, eyes open.
Total
n=13 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
4 Participants
n=7 Participants
9 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Continuous
68 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.7 • n=5 Participants
71.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.5 • n=7 Participants
69.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.8 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
7 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
7 Participants
n=5 Participants
6 Participants
n=7 Participants
13 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
7 participants
n=5 Participants
6 participants
n=7 Participants
13 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 0 (baseline)

This outcome compared the Dynamic Gait Index score when the BALCAP prosthesis was worn vs. when it was not worn at baseline in order to evaluate if there is an assistive benefit to wearing the device. The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a clinical tool to assess gait, balance, and fall risk using various walking tasks. The range of scores is 0 to 24. A higher score is better. All participants performed this test at baseline both wearing the BALCAP and not wearing the BALCAP. This test does not measure a change in DGI score over time but compares the results of the test while wearing the BALCAP vs. not wearing the BALCAP during the same evaluation period (baseline).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
All Participants
n=13 Participants
All participants performed the dynamic gait index at baseline both with and without the BALCAP prosthesis.
Control
Participants who did not wear the BALCAP prosthesis when performing the exercises in either the first six weeks or the second six weeks of the protocol.
Difference in Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)
0.77 units on a scale
Interval 0.16 to 1.38

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Before and after 6 weeks of either the intervention or the control condition

Change in Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP): equilibrium score. Computerized Dynamic Posturography is used to assess balance disorders using a balance platform. CDP is used to determine postural stability; it measures a patient's ability to maintain balance under multiple conditions by testing visual, vestibular, and somatosensory balance components of the body. The equilibrium score is an overall indicator of balance. A score of 100 represents perfect stability and a score of 0 indicates a loss of balance. A higher value is better. This test is intended to ascertain if there is a rehabilitative benefit of using the BALCAP instrument.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
All Participants
n=10 Participants
All participants performed the dynamic gait index at baseline both with and without the BALCAP prosthesis.
Control
n=10 Participants
Participants who did not wear the BALCAP prosthesis when performing the exercises in either the first six weeks or the second six weeks of the protocol.
Change in Computerized Dynamic Posturography: Equilibrium Score
5.94 units on a scale
Interval 1.8 to 10.9
0.34 units on a scale
Interval -3.81 to 4.49

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 0 (baseline)

The gait speed of each participant was measured over a 25-foot difference when wearing the BALCAP vs when not wearing the BALCAP. This test was performed on all participants at baseline prior to the home studies. A higher value represents faster gait speed. This test is intended to measure the assistive benefit of the BALCAP prosthesis.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
All Participants
n=13 Participants
All participants performed the dynamic gait index at baseline both with and without the BALCAP prosthesis.
Control
Participants who did not wear the BALCAP prosthesis when performing the exercises in either the first six weeks or the second six weeks of the protocol.
Difference in Gait Speed
0.03 meters/second
Interval -0.05 to 0.11

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Before and after 6 weeks of either the intervention or the control condition

Change in Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale is a self-report questionnaire that measures an individual's confidence in performing activities without losing balance. The score range is from 0 to 100. A higher value is better.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
All Participants
n=10 Participants
All participants performed the dynamic gait index at baseline both with and without the BALCAP prosthesis.
Control
n=10 Participants
Participants who did not wear the BALCAP prosthesis when performing the exercises in either the first six weeks or the second six weeks of the protocol.
Change in Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale
6.04 units on a scale
Interval -5.45 to 17.53
1.39 units on a scale
Interval -10.1 to 12.88

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Before and after 6 weeks of either the intervention or the control condition

Change in Dizziness Handicap Inventory score. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is a common self-report quality of life measure for vestibular disorders. The score range is from 0 to 100 and a lower score is better. This test is intended to ascertain if there is a rehabilitative benefit of using the BALCAP instrument.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
All Participants
n=10 Participants
All participants performed the dynamic gait index at baseline both with and without the BALCAP prosthesis.
Control
n=10 Participants
Participants who did not wear the BALCAP prosthesis when performing the exercises in either the first six weeks or the second six weeks of the protocol.
Change in Dizziness Handicap Inventory Score
-7.33 units on a scale
Interval -18.66 to 3.99
2.00 units on a scale
Interval -9.32 to 13.32

Adverse Events

BALCAP Prosthesis

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Control

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Principal Research Scientist

Barron Associates

Phone: 434-973-1215

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place