Electric zaps to the spine may help seniors stay steady on their feet
NCT ID NCT06517043
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a gentle electrical current applied to the lower spine can boost the effects of balance training in adults aged 65 to 95 who have trouble walking and balancing. Participants will perform balance exercises while receiving either real or sham spinal stimulation. Researchers will measure changes in balance, walking speed, and spinal nerve activity to see if the combination works better than exercise alone.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS)
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this approach could lead to a simple, non-invasive therapy to reduce fall risk and preserve independence in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-stage study with only 30 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The stimulation may provide no extra benefit over balance training alone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2025
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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65 to 95 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * age range: 65 to 95 years * no severe high blood pressure: Resting systolic \< 180 mmHg and diastolic \< 100 mmHg * no severe vision impairment: Visual acuity ≥ 20/70 as determined by Snellen eye chart * walking problem: Preferred walking speed slower than 1.0 m/s over 10 meters * balance problem: Berg Balance Scale score \< 45 * no cognitive impairment: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥ 26 out of 30 Exclusion Criteria: * diagnosed neurological disorder or injury of the central nervous system, or observation of symptoms consistent with such a condition (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, etc.) * severe arthritis, such as awaiting joint replacement * current cardiovascular, lung or renal disease; untreated diabetes; terminal illness * myocardial infarction or major heart surgery in the previous year * cancer treatment in the past year, except for nonmelanoma skin cancers and cancers having an excellent prognosis (e.g., early stage breast or prostate cancer) * current diagnosis of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder * currently taking medications that affect the central nervous system, such as benzodiazepines, anti-cholinergic medication, and GABAergic medication, among others * uncontrolled hypertension at rest (systolic \> 180 mmHg and/or diastolic \> 100 mmHg) * bone fracture or joint replacement in the previous six months * current enrollment in any other clinical trial * planning to relocate out of the area during the study period * non-English\* speaking, due to the likelihood of difficulties following instructions and communicating remotely * clinical judgment of the investigative team
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Malcom Randall VA Medical Center Brain Rehabilitation Research Center
RECRUITINGGainesville, Florida, 32608, United States
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