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The Use of Assistive Gait Devices Can Reduce the Risk of Falls in Patients With Neuromuscular Diseases Following a Training Period.

The Use of Assistive Gait Devices Can Reduce the Risk of Falls in Patients With Neuromuscular Diseases Following a Training Period.

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07072676
Acronym
Risk of fall
Enrollment
30
Registered
2025-07-18
Start date
2025-09-01
Completion date
2028-08-01
Last updated
2025-07-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy, Friedreich Ataxia, Guillain Barré Syndrome, Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathies, Inclusion Body Myositis, Lambert Eaton (LEMS), Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophies, Myasthaenia Gravis, Myotonic Dystrophy 1, Myotonic Dystrophy 2, Pompe Disease (Infantile-Onset), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Keywords

assistive gait device, neuromuscular diseases

Brief summary

The planned project is an intervention study to assess the risk of falling after adaptation of an assistive gait devices in patients with the following neuromuscular diseases: Inclusion body myositis, myotonic dystrophy, limb girdle and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophies, Pompe disease, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, Friedreich's ataxia and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy. The primary aim is to assess the risk of falling after a suitable assistive gait device has been provided with an adaptation phase through training. The data should help to improve the provision of aids for patients with neuromuscular diseases. This should have a positive effect on the risk of falling and thus improve quality of life and reduce mortality and morbidity. To achieve these goals, a one-week intervention with training sessions on handling, balance and coordination as well as fall prevention will becarried out after the patient has been fitted with a suitable assistive gait device. The interventions will be embedded in the inpatient rehabilitation programme. The functional gait and balance tests 'Timed Up and Go', '10 metre walk test', '6-minute walk test' and 'Dynamic Gait Index' will be recorded additionally. The Falls Efficacy Scale International questionnaire will be utilised to evaluate the risk of falling, while the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology questionnaire will be employed to ascertain satisfaction with the assistive devices. The study is scheduled to run for a period of 14 days, during which participants will undergo three functional walking and balance tests. As part of the inpatient rehabilitation programme, participants will undergo a week-long period of rehabilitation without assistive technology, followed by a subsequent week of rehabilitation with adapted assistive technology.

Interventions

DEVICEAssistive gait devices combined with physiotherapy

During the intervenation week, the patient undergoes 12 hours/week of gait training, fall prevention, balance group and physiotherapy as part of their inpatient rehabilitation programme. The individual sessions last 30 minutes each.

Sponsors

LMU Klinikum
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

A study protocol was developed with two cohorts that underwent a one-week pre-post intervention with gait assistive devices. The first group consisted of patients (n= 15) requiring orthopaedic support: Knee and/or ankle foot orthoses and orthopaedic shoes; the second group (n= 15) consists of patients requiring mobility aids: Forearm crutches, rollators and walking aids.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* The Patients with sufficient cognitive and communicative abilities, * The Patients with confirmed by the genetic report and/or the final clinical diagnosis.

Exclusion criteria

* The Patients scored more than 23 points on the falls efficacy Scale-International * The Patients are unable to walk at least ten metres without assistance, * The patient had knee, hip or back surgery in the last three months. * Patients suffering from polyneuropathy without a diagnosis of inflammatory autoimmune neuropathy.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
6 Minute Walk TestAt Day 1, end of pre-intervention period Day 7, and at the end of post-intervation period Day 14.The aim of this test is to walk as far as possible for 6 minutes.
Timed Up and Go (TUG)At Day 1, end of pre-intervention period Day 7, and at the end of post-intervation period Day 14.The TUG test measures the time it takes to stand up from a chair, walk three metres, turn around and sit back down on the same chair.
10 meter walk testAt Day 1, end of pre-intervention period Day 7, and at the end of post-intervation period Day 14.Walking at maximum speed is measured in a long, flat-surface corridor of 10 meters, with a standing start and a flying finish 2.5 meters beyond the 10-meter mark.
Dynamic Gait IndexAt Day 1, end of pre-intervention period Day 7, and at the end of post-intervation period Day 14.Dynamic Gait Index tests the ability of the participant to maintain walking balance while responding to different task demands, through various dynamic conditions. It is a useful test in individuals with vestibular and balance problems and those at risk of falls.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0)At the end of post-intervention period, Day 14.The QUEST 2.0 evaluates a patient's satisfaction with various assistive technologies.

Countries

Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026