Moon walk prep: scientists study how unloading rewires the brain

NCT ID NCT07607340

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at how 14 days of simulated microgravity (using a leg suspension model) changes the brain's movement programs and muscle control. Twenty-four healthy adults will have one leg unloaded while using crutches, then walk on a treadmill in lunar gravity during a parabolic flight. The goal is to understand how the brain and muscles adapt to disuse and reactivate under partial gravity, which could help astronauts and people recovering from limb immobilization.

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 successful, this could improve astronaut training and rehabilitation for people with limb immobilization.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage observational study with only 24 healthy participants, so results may not apply to broader populations or real spaceflight conditions.

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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Karolinska Institutet

    RECRUITING

    Huddinge, Stockholm County, 14152, Sweden

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••