Pilot Study Gait Rehabilitation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Rhythmic haptic cueing for walking: Huntington’s disease pilot study
IRAS ID
217522
Contact name
Simon Holland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Open University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Huntington's disease is an inherited neurological disorder that results in the death of brain cells. As the disease advances, uncoordinated, jerky body movements become more apparent. Although there is no cure, treatments can relieve some symptoms and improve quality of life.
PJ Care is a private residential care-home organisation in Peterborough with several resident Huntington's patients. We have a legal agreement to conduct research with PJ Care.
After consultation with physiotherapists and nurse personnel at PJ Care it was agreed, based on observation and evidence from the literature, that walking to a rhythm might improve the gait of Huntington’s patients. This could have the effect of usefully prolonging walking ability as the disease progresses. This has the potential to significantly improve quality of life.
We propose to conduct a pilot study with participants who are permanent residents of PJ Care. The study will be under the close supervision and guidance of a team of qualified physiotherapists and carers in neurological conditions, employed by PJ Care.
The aim of this study is to compare walking patterns during normal walking with and without a rhythmic vibrotactile cue (similar to that from a phone vibrator) delivered to each leg in turn by a small wireless device. Cueing of this kind is known as 'haptic cueing'. The participants will be asked to walk indoors, in the care home's facilities, with and without the rhythmic haptic cue. Data (e.g. step times of each leg) will be recorded by motion sensors in our devices, to allow us to analyse any improvement during and after the procedure.
Rhythmic haptic cueing has shown promising results in stroke survivors and our aim is to investigate whether the same technique can improve the walking of individuals suffering from Huntington’s.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/2050
Date of REC Opinion
16 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion