FRiPTBI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
FRiPTBI - Identifying falls risk in patients with post-traumatic vestibular disorders
IRAS ID
341358
Contact name
Barry Seemungal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
The brain uses multi-modal cues for balance, gait and spatial orientation, which are affected in brain diseases such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). Vestibular dysfunction arising from problems affecting the inner ear or the brain worsen balance. Such dysfunction can result in dizziness, imbalance and falls. Currently there is little knowledge of the factors which predict falls in brain disease patients such as those with TBI. It is also unclear how the co-occurrence of brain disorders and inner ear conditions like BPPV aggravate imbalance. To study this, we will assess brain disease patients with and without an inner ear problem called BPPV.
Adults with a traumatic brain injury will be approached by ward therapists or other members of the clinical team at in-patient trauma or outlying ward. Series of tests will be offered for the patients that signed the consent form: (1) Clinical tests and special wearable sensors will be used for gait and balance testing; (2) Patients will fill in questionnaires on balance and baseline demographics, injury related details will be collected; (3) Blood samples for the inflammatory markers and for the DNA test will be taken on the ward according to the standard protocol; (4) Standard BPPV treatment will be carried out by a member of the team after the initial assessment on the ward; (5) The patients will be provided with a non-invasive device called a bed mat to collect data about their night-time movement; (6) Laboratory assessments of gait and balance; (7) Follow up assessment will include repeat clinical test for BPPV (and treatment if necessary), questionnaires, gait and balance testing, blood tests.
We hypothesise that humoral markers indicating an inflammatory state will elevate the risk of both brain and inner dysfunction, including for BPPV and its recurrence. This information is important to better design treatment strategies to reduce falls risk in these patients.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0114
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion