Who is eligible for clinical trial NCT06779188?

Participants must meet protocol criteria for Aging. Confirm exact inclusion and exclusion requirements with the study coordinator.

Does clinical trial NCT06779188 provide travel or cost reimbursement?

Check with the site coordinator at the participating facility for travel and lodging stipend availability, and for which routine-care costs are covered.

🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-08-26

Examining the Effects of Theta Burst TMS on Brain Connectivity and Balance Ability in Older Adults With Balance Problems (NCT06779188)

🟢 Recruiting Early Phase1 ⚙️ Medical Device Protocol Sponsor: Weinberg Medical Physics LLC

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

The goal of this study is to learn if manipulating the brain using magnets works to treat balance impairment, a major cause of falls, in older adults with balance problems. The technique to manipulate the brain using magnets is known as transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How does TMS change communication between brain areas? * Does TMS improve balance ability in older adults with balance problems? Researchers will compare the TMS group to a placebo group to see if manipulating the brain using magnets works to treat balance impairment. Participants will: * Receive TMS or placebo stimulation for 4 weeks. * Visit the laboratory for checkups and tests 3 times.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (1 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (22 items).

Location: The Center for Neuromotor and Biomechanics Research at the University of Houston — Houston, Texas

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

a) Able to provide informed consent b) All ethnic groups c) \>65 years of age d) ≥2 non-injury falls or ≥1 injury fall in the past year \[17\]-\[21\] e) Absence of dementia/uncontrolled psychiatric disorder h) Able to walk and stand for 5 min continuously independently without assistance (i.e., cane, walker, ankle foot orthotics, electric scooter). i) Willingness to undergo MRI, participate in the 4-weeks intervention AND in the laboratory studies before, immediately-after, and 3-month after the intervention.

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

Exclusion Criteria:
Inability to provide informed consent.
Non-English speaking.
Have contraindications to TMS based on TMS Adult Safety Screen (e.g., pregnancy, metal in the brain/skull, neurostimulator, pacemaker, infusion device, medication to treat mental illness)
Unintentional weight loss of ≥10 pounds over the past year.
Severe uncontrolled hypertension, or uncontrolled diabetes.
Poor cognitive status (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥ 26)
Untreated depression or Geriatric Depression Scale score on 15 item scale \>7
History of limb amputation (upper or lower extremity)
Planned surgery in the next 3 months.
History of chemotherapy or planned chemotherapy in the next 6 months or active malignancy.
Severe osteoporosis, defined by diagnosis of osteoporosis with fracture.

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

The Center for Neuromotor and Biomechanics Research at the University of Houston — Houston, Texas

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗