Home workouts and light boxes tested for brain injury rehab

NCT ID NCT01175993

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 9 times

Summary

This study tested whether a 3-month home exercise program on an elliptical machine and 3 months of bright light therapy could improve movement, balance, and mood in adults with traumatic brain injury. Thirty-four participants (including healthy volunteers) were enrolled. The goal was to see if these simple, at-home interventions could boost brain function and quality of life.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: elliptical exercise and bright light therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward simple, home-based therapies to improve mobility, balance, and mood after traumatic brain injury.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase study with only 34 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The interventions are non-invasive, but improvements may be small or not last long.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Injuries, Traumatic post-traumatic stress disorder traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ADULT FMRI TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Contacts and locations

Locations

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

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