RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06771531

Brain Stimulation for Foot-sole Sensation in Older Adults With Foot-sole Somatosensory Deficits

Cortical Mechanisms and Modulation of Somatosensation in Older Adults With Foot Sole Somatosensory Impairments

Sponsor

Hebrew SeniorLife

Enrollment

20 participants

Start Date

Feb 26, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Somatosensory Function Balance Control Mobility

Summary

In older adults, diminished sensation of the legs and feet is highly prevalent and causes poor balance and reduced mobility. This type of sensation is not only dependent upon the receptors and nerves in the legs and feet, but also upon a complex central nervous system pathway that includes the cerebral cortex of the brain. This project will use a form of noninvasive brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to test whether increasing the excitability of the brain networks that process sensory feedback can augment foot sole sensation, balance, and mobility in older adults suffering from mild-to-moderate foot sole sensory impairments.

Eligibility

Min Age: 65 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing whether a type of non-invasive brain stimulation can improve foot-sole sensation (the ability to feel pressure through the bottom of your feet) in older adults who have reduced sensation, which often leads to falls and balance problems. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 65 years of age or older - You feel unsteady or have difficulty standing or walking - You have mild-to-moderate reduced sensation in your foot soles (can feel a heavy touch but not a lighter one) **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You cannot stand or walk for at least one minute without personal assistance - You have foot ulcers, amputations, or significant foot deformities - You have uncontrolled pain that affects your mobility - You have uncontrolled diabetes - You were hospitalized in the past 3 months for an acute condition Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

DEVICEtranscranial direct current stimulation

tDCS can safely and selectively modulate cortical excitability (specifically neuronal firing likelihood) by transferring weak electrical currents between scalp electrodes. The direct current delivered by any one electrode will not exceed 2.0 mA and the total amount of current from all electrodes will not exceed 4 mA in this study.

DEVICEactive sham stimulation

sham stimulation will implement the same protocol of the tDCS intervention; however, only very low-level currents (no more than 0.5 mA) are transferred between the same electrodes used for the tDCS throughout the 20-minute session. This strategy effectively mimics the cutaneous sensations and skin redness induced by creating only micro cortical electric fields.