Tired brain, wobbly body? study probes link between mental fatigue and balance
NCT ID NCT07650903
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study investigates whether mental fatigue makes people less steady on their feet and changes how their spinal reflexes work. Healthy adults aged 18 to 35 will do a mentally tiring computer task or watch a neutral documentary, then have their balance measured on a force plate and their reflexes tested with mild electrical stimulation. The goal is to understand how cognitive tiredness affects physical control, which could inform fall prevention strategies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could help design better strategies to prevent falls in situations where mental fatigue is common, like after long work hours.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study in healthy young adults, so results may not apply to older people or those with balance disorders. The mental fatigue task may not reflect real-world tiredness.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Belgium
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