Subtle motion may retrain inner ear for better balance

NCT ID NCT06732440

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Creighton University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study explores whether very small, barely noticeable movements can help retrain the brain's balance system in people with inner ear problems. Researchers will test balance and motion sensitivity in 48 adults with certain balance disorders and healthy volunteers. The goal is to understand if this gentle stimulation can improve balance and make balance training more effective.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

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

About 48 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Feb 2026

Expected to finish

Dec 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

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

19 to 89 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show 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 for Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction: 1\. Bilateral lateral canal VOR gain of \< 0.8 on video head impulse testing OR bilateral positive bedside head impulse test Inclusion Criteria for Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction: 1\. Unilateral yaw aVOR gain of \< 0.8 on video head impulse testing OR unilateral positive bedside head impulse test Inclusion Criteria for all Participants: 1. Must be able to stand for 5 minutes unassisted 2. No leg or foot amputations 3. No lower limb braces 4. Not currently pregnant by self-report 5. Weight \<= 300 pounds (due to limitations of testing equipment) Exclusion Criteria for all participants: 1. Severe head trauma or traumatic brain injury 2. History of seizures 3. Alternative neurologic illness or condition known to impact vestibular or balance function (e.g., stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, demyelinating illness) 4. Major psychiatric (e.g., panic disorder, psychosis, etc.) disorder 5. Any of the following eye diseases or conditions: amblyopia (or "lazy eye") or history of amblyopia, diagnosis of age- related macular degeneration, retina dystrophy, glaucoma, cataracts, 6. Recent (\<6 months) orthopedic injury that may affect test performance 7. Recent surgery (\< 6 months) that may impact test performance. 8. Other severe health problems (heart disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, etc.) that may affect test performance 9. Due to potentially nauseogenic nature of some motions and to protect fetus and mother, pregnant women will also be excluded from this study * Since the investigators cannot address every possible potential individual recruit in advance, additional exclusion criteria may be required.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bilateral hypoactive labyrinth idiopathic bilateral vestibulopathy unilateral hypoactive labyrinth vestibular disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Bilateral vestibular hypofunction Healthy controls Presbyvestibulopathy Vestibular hypofunction

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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

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Subtle motion may retrain inner ear for better balance

What the study statuses mean