Dr. Daniel Ferris (PI) and UF collaborators are the recipients of a substantial $2.75 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They are at the helm of a groundbreaking project titled “Intermittent Visual Perturbations to Enhance Balance Training.” This initiative targets fall-related injuries, particularly affecting individuals with conditions like limb loss, post-stroke hemiparesis, incomplete spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and age-related sensorimotor decline.

The complexity of fall-related injuries has far-reaching implications for improving quality of life and reducing healthcare expenditures for millions of people. There are many different strategies for reducing falls, including muscle strengthening, aerobic exercise, virtual reality games, Tai Chi, yoga, and physical perturbation training. However, Dr. Ferris’ project focuses on an innovative approach that can complement all of these methods: integrating intermittent visual perturbations into balance training.

Ferris’ project aims to identify the neural mechanisms that explain why intermittent visual perturbations improve balance and optimize the delivery of visual perturbations. There are three key objectives: a) Evaluating whether intermittent visual occlusions yield similar effects for both older and younger subjects. b) Using mobile brain imaging with high-density electroencephalography (EEG) to identify changes in brain activity responsible for enhanced balance training. c) Investigating how the timing and intensity of intermittent visual perturbations influence balance training.

The studies within the project involve participants of different ages engaging in a dynamic balance task, such as walking on a beam. The goal is to understand how occasional interruptions in their visual field affect the processing of information crucial for balance, including sight, body position, and inner ear signals. The researchers will test various methods of temporarily altering what participants see to determine the most effective approaches to improving balance.

Anticipated outcomes extend beyond the immediate project, providing deeper insights into the neural mechanisms involved in enhanced balance training. These findings will guide future multi-task balance training clinical trials, improving therapeutic interventions for individuals prone to falls. Dr. Ferris and his collaborators’ work holds great promise for advancing fall prevention strategies and enhancing the well-being of diverse populations facing balance challenges.

Team members:

• Dr. David Clark, Associate Chief of Staff for Research, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System & Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Florida
• Dr. Emily Fox, Director of Neuromuscular Research, Brooks Rehabilitation & Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida
• Dr. Arkaprava Roy, Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida