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Testing Effectiveness of a Stochastic Noise Stimulator to Immediately Improve Balance and Gait

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · with University of Western Sydney, National Institute on Aging (NIA) · NCT06688578

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 21+ · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
120
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
September 25, 2026
Record last updated
June 23, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

The goal of this intervention study is to determine if a new electronic stimulation device, similar to a TENS can improve balance and make walking easier in older individuals with reduced balance function. The main question aims to answer the following:

Can using the device improve walking speed in older individuals?

Participants will be asked to perform a number of tasks while wearing the device:

Walk for 6 minutes

  • Stand in place while having balance measured (eyes open and closed)
  • Stand on a foam block while having balance measured (eyes open and closed)
  • Sit in a chair that will tilt +/- 20 degrees while wearing goggles that take videos of the participants eyes.

Being studied: Subperceptual Stimulus; Sham Comparator

Conditions: Vestibular Disorder; Aging

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria Older (ages 60+) and younger (aged 21-59) participants with no significant health history will be recruited from the community.

Exclusion Criteria

Any person with a self-reported history of:

  • impaired proprioception
  • significant eye problems
  • neuromuscular disease
  • seizure
  • stroke
  • unmedicated diabetes
  • cardiovascular disease (except controlled hypertension)
  • renal disease or electrolyte imbalance
  • orthopedic disorders such as severe neck or back pain
  • uncontrolled high blood pressure (200/110 or greater)
  • implanted electronic devices (pacemakers, defibrillators, implanted pumps or stimulator devices, cochlear, etc.)
  • psychotic medications or current psychotic symptoms
  • Any other psychiatric condition requiring hospitalization since 1991
  • recent history of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 6 months
  • inability to stand unassisted for 30 seconds or walk unassisted for 6 minutes

Recruiting US locations

  • Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School

    Boston, MA 02114

    Site contact: Stephanie G Iring-Sanchez, PhD · 2019701966 · siring-sanchez@meei.harvard.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Jorge M Serrador, PhD · 6177949341 · jserrador@meei.harvard.edu
  • Stephanie G Iring-Sanchez, PhD · 2019701966 · siring-sanchez@meei.harvard.edu
All healthy volunteers studies in Massachusetts →
Testing Effectiveness of a Stochastic Noise Stimulator to… (NCT06688578) | Bored Studies