Clinical Research Directory

Vestibular Balance-Cognition Dual-Task Digital System: Development of a Smart Rehabilitation Platform for the Elderly and Prediction of Balance Function Risks

This study is being done to better understand how vestibular problems and thinking abilities (such as attention and mental flexibility) are related in older adults, and how doing a balance task and a thinking task at the same time affects their performance. Older adults will first complete questionnaires and simple paper-and-pencil tests of attention, memory, and mental rotation while seated. They will then perform standing balance tasks on a portable force platform under different conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, standing on a foam surface) and will repeat some of the thinking tasks at the same time. Next, participants will walk on a treadmill while wearing small motion sensors, both with and without added thinking tasks such as serial subtraction and digit reordering. The total testing time is about 90 minutes. Two groups will be included: healthy older adults and older adults who have had dizziness or falls in the past two years. By comparing these groups, the study aims to provide a basis for designing future dual-task assessment and training programs to reduce balance problems and falls in older adults.

Spatial Orientation, Navigation, and Neuropsychologic Function in Patients With Vestibular Implant

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, provides information to the brain information about how head acceleration and orientation relative to gravity. Damage to the vestibular system is usually permanent and can contribute to a lower quality of life. The goal of this research is to to examine how vestibular implants (VI) may improve performance of cognitive tasks in patients with severe vestibular damage. These higher-level cognitive behaviors include (1) orientation relative to gravity, (2) navigation, and (3) neuropsychologic function. VI patients will be tested in these three cognitive domains across study sessions: pre-stimulation (VI implanted but stimulation OFF), following chronic stimulation (12 days, VI-ON), and then again 1 month later with the VI turned off. There will be both "true" stimulation experiments during which the VI will provide motion-modulated stimulation and also "placebo" stimulation (no motion cues, tonic stimulus). The order of these experiments will be randomized and separated by 3 months. Researchers will compare VI data in the three cognitive domains (spatial orientation, navigation, \& neuropsychologic function) with control data from non-implanted bilateral vestibular loss (BVL) and unilateral vestibular loss (UVL) patients and normal subjects.

Evaluation of Gait and Balance Parameters in Patients With Chronic Vestibulopathy

This observational, cross-sectional, comparative study aims to evaluate gait and balance parameters in adults with chronic vestibulopathy and to compare the findings with healthy individuals. Participants will include adults aged 18 to 65 years with chronic vestibular dysfunction and age- and sex-matched healthy controls without vestibular symptoms. Balance confidence, fear of falling, vestibular function, postural control, center of pressure measurements, and gait parameters will be assessed using clinical scales, videonystagmography, the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, and the Euleria Lab system. The study is expected to provide information about the functional effects of chronic vestibulopathy on gait and balance.

Effects of Wiifit vs Conventional Vestibular Rehabilitation on Dizziness and Balance in Patients With Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Dysfunction

Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Dysfunction (UPVD) causes dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, and reduced quality of life. Conventional Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (cVRT) is effective, while WiiFit-based virtual reality training may further enhance motivation and neuroplasticity. This study aims to compare WiiFit-based training with conventional rehabilitation in improving balance and reducing dizziness in UPVD patients. A randomized controlled trial will include participants aged 18-65 meeting specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups: Group A receiving conventional therapy (40 minutes, 3 sessions/week) and Group B receiving WiiFit-based exercises for 4 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed using DHI, Mini-BESTest, and VADL before and after intervention.

Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell-Based Interventions for Inner Ear Trauma, Tinnitus, and Sensorineural Hearing Loss

The HEAR-RESTORE study is an exploratory clinical research program designed to evaluate new diagnostic and regenerative approaches for individuals experiencing inner ear injury, tinnitus, and temporary or permanent hearing loss. Inner ear disorders can result from acoustic trauma, infections, inflammation, or other conditions that affect the cochlea, auditory nerve, or vestibular system. These conditions may lead to muffled hearing, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), balance disturbances, or reduced hearing sensitivity. The purpose of this study is to better understand how inner ear injuries develop and to evaluate potential treatments that may support hearing recovery or protect auditory function. Participants will undergo comprehensive ear and hearing evaluations including audiometry, speech recognition testing, tympanometry, and other diagnostic assessments used in audiology and otolaryngology. These tests help measure hearing thresholds, ear pressure, and auditory nerve responses. The study may also explore emerging regenerative medicine strategies aimed at restoring inner ear function. These approaches may include investigational therapies designed to promote repair of cochlear hair cells, reduce inflammation in the inner ear, or support neural recovery in the auditory pathway. Research may include evaluation of regenerative biological therapies, stem cell-based approaches, and other experimental technologies intended to support recovery of hearing or reduce symptoms such as tinnitus. Participants will be monitored over time to assess hearing outcomes, safety, and changes in auditory function. Study assessments may include repeat audiology tests, imaging studies, symptom questionnaires, and other clinical measurements used to track hearing health. The results of this research may contribute to improved diagnostic methods and potential future treatments for individuals with hearing loss or inner ear disorders.

Impact of Vestibular Function on Deaf Infants' Activities of Daily Living

This non-interventional study aims to assess the impact of vestibular impairments on the daily life activities of deaf children aged 0 to 2 years old. Three groups of participants will be included: deaf children with vestibular impairment, deaf children without vestibular impairment, and hearing children without vestibular dysfunction (control group). Children's daily activities will be evaluated through the OT Hope 0-5 years tool, a parent-administered questionnaire designed to measure competencies in different areas: personal care, play, and social interactions. This study also includes qualitative interviews with parents to further explore how vestibular impairments affect children's daily routines. It is hypothesized that: * Deaf children with vestibular impairments will show lower scores in daily life activities compared to the other two groups. * Deaf children without vestibular impairments will demonstrate scores closer to those of hearing children but may show some differences due to their hearing status. The research is conducted at the Robert Debré Hospital, in Paris, and aims to enroll 105 children over a three-year period. The data collected will provide insights into the specific needs of children with vestibular impairments and lay the groundwork for targeted early interventions.