Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation and Gait Training in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Movement Science
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) is established for stroke and Parkinson's disease, but under-researched in traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Individuals with TBI often exhibit gait impairments, including reduced velocity, step symmetry, and cadence, increasing fall risk.
• The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is a key measure for fall risk, with scores below 22 indicating high risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a study design for RAS in TBI survivors.
• To explore the potential benefits of RAS on gait parameters and fall risk in this population.
• To assess the safety and tolerability of RAS in individuals with TBI.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm pilot clinical trial with 10 participants (1-20 years post-TBI).
• Included a 2-week baseline control period, a 2-week RAS intervention, and a 1-week follow-up control period.
• Daily assessment of starting cadence due to functional variability; outcome measures included 10-m walk test, gait parameters, FGA, and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale.

Main Results:

• No adverse events were reported during the study.
• Significant improvements were observed in spatial and temporal gait parameters post-intervention.
• Half of the participants improved their FGA score above 22, indicating a reduced risk of falls.

Conclusions:

• RAS appears to be a feasible and safe intervention for individuals with TBI.
• RAS demonstrates potential benefits for improving gait and reducing fall risk in TBI survivors.
• Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm these findings.