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Effect of Exergaming Program Versus Neuromuscular Exercise in Elderly People With Motor Cognitive Risk Syndrome

Effect of Exergaming Program Versus Neuromuscular Exercise on Locomotor and Cognitive Functions in Elderly People With Motor Cognitive Risk Syndrome

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07045259
Enrollment
60
Registered
2025-07-01
Start date
2025-12-25
Completion date
2026-06-30
Last updated
2026-04-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Elderly (People Aged 65 or More), Exergaming, Geriatric Patient, Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome, Neuromuscular Exercise

Keywords

Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome, Elderly, neuromuscular exercise, exergaming

Brief summary

The primary aim of our study is to compare the effects of neuromuscular exercise training versus structured exergaming program on locomotor and cognitive functions in elderly individuals with Motor Cognitive Risk (MCR), which defines the transition state between typical aging and dementia and mild cognitive impairment. This study aims to present for the first time the effects of neuromuscular exercise training and exergaming program on locomotor and cognitive functions in elderly individuals with MCR with comparative results.

Interventions

OTHERThe Neuromuscular Exercise Training program

The Neuromuscular Exercise Training program will be carried out in groups of 2 people for 45 minutes/2 days/8 weeks. The exercise program will consist of warm-up, loading and cooling phases. The warm-up phase will consist of flexibility exercises, mini squat and roll down etc. exercises to prepare the individual for exercise. The loading phase will consist of a cognitive-based neuromuscular exercise program aiming to provide stabilization, increase in balance, neuroplasticity and motor control and is planned to include strengthening exercises, stabilization exercises, balance-proprioceptive exercises and neuromuscular control exercise training with visual feedback. The exercises will progress gradually from easy to difficult with increasing repetition and set numbers.

OTHERExergaming Exercise Training

In our study, Xbox One Kinect game console and Kinect sensor will be used within the scope of Exergaming. Exergaming program will be carried out in groups of 2 people for 45 minutes/ 2 days/ 8 weeks. It will consist of warm-up, loading and cooling phases. The games to be used for the Exergaming program were selected from games that include locomotor and cognitive repetitive tasks. The selected exergames involve repetitive locomotor and cognitive tasks. Piano step will be utilized during the warm-up for its rhythm-based movement patterns. For the conditioning phase, lower extremity exercises will include Reflex Ridge, River Rush, and Rallyball (Kinect Adventures), while upper extremity exercises will consist of Bowling, Table Tennis, Swimming (Kinect Sports), and Fruit Ninja. A progressive training approach will be followed, with game difficulty levels increasing incrementally as the sessions advance.

Sponsors

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into three treatment groups, structured exergaming and neuromuscular exercise training and control group with a 1:1 block allocation. Randomization will be performed by a researcher not involved in the study using a website (www.randomization.com). Interventions and assessments will be administered by physiotherapists. After the end of treatment, both groups will be re-evaluated using the same procedures.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Being over 65 years of age * Having a Barthel Daily Living Activities Index score of ≥ 90 * Having a Mini Mental Status Score (MMSE) of ≥24 * Having the ability to walk with or without a walking aid * Having a slow walking speed * Having subjective memory complaints

Exclusion criteria

* Presence of Dementia * Major Depression * Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Delirium * Parkinson's Disease * Anemia * Thyroid Disease * Vitamin B12 Deficiency * Malnutrition * Terminal Illness * Hearing or Visual Impairment

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksTUG test is a frequently used field test to evaluate mobility, balance, fall risk and walking in elderly individuals (Magda,2024; (Racha, 2023). The test involves the individual getting up from a chair, walking 3 meters, turning, and sitting. The time taken to complete this series of movements is measured and recorded using a stopwatch (Racha, 2023).
Stair Climbing Test (SCT)From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe stair climbing test is frequently used in the evaluation of locomotor functions in elderly individuals. The validity and reliability of the STAIR, which has been investigated in elderly people with knee osteoarthritis, has been reported to have a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.93 and high reliability (Jose, 2021). In our study, they will be asked to ascend and descend 4 steps, each of which is 50 cm wide, 15 cm high and 25 cm deep, as quickly but safely as possible. They will be able to use the handrails when they need to while ascending or descending the stairs, and the total time taken to complete the task will be measured in seconds with a stopwatch.
Cognitive Officer TUG-SCTFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksIn our research * Counting backwards from 50 by threes * Cognitive officer TUG and SCT tests will be conducted to answer the questions prepared by the researchers as yes if red and no if blue, and the results will be recorded in terms of time (Li, 2023).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksShort Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a field test designed to evaluate the physical performance of elderly people, helps interpret their functional abilities, and gives an idea about the individual's biological age (Pavasini, 2016). SPPB, which is frequently used in elderly individuals in the literature, consists of the categories of static balance, 4-meter walking test, and 5-times sit-to-stand test (Corsonello, 2012 ). The balance test in SPPB includes three different postures: side-by-side, semi-tandem, and tandem. Each posture is held for up to 10 seconds. The ability to maintain these positions gives an idea about the individual's balance abilities (Cisternas, 2024). It is emphasized in the literature that the balance test, together with other components of SPPB, can predict all-cause mortality (Pahor, 2014). In our research, SPPB will be used to evaluate the static balance ability, walking speed, functional capacity,
Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a widely accepted functional gait tool for assessing the risk of falls and functional stability while walking in the elderly (Shumway-Cook et al., 2013). In the literature, DGI is used as a valid, reliable, cheap and fast tool to assess the gait and balance of elderly individuals (Alghwiri, 2014). It consists of eight items including normal walking on level ground, walking with speed changes, walking with horizontal head movements, walking with vertical head movements, walking with pivot turns, walking by jumping over obstacles, taking steps around obstacles and climbing up and down stairs. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 (severe impairment) to 3 (independent walking). The maximum total score can be 24. The scale, whose validity and reliability in Turkish in elderly individuals was conducted by Zirek, will be used to comprehensively assess walking in our study (Zirek, 2023).
Reaction speed assessmentFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksReaction speed is defined as the duration between the stimulus reaching the central nervous system and the execution of the appropriate motor response. It is closely associated with cognitive functions such as attention, processing speed, motor planning, and executive functions. Considering the age-related decline in processing speed and motor response, the Light Trainer Flash Light Exercise System (Reaction X) will be utilized to evaluate these parameters. Upper Limb Reaction Speed Assessment The assessment consists of two protocols, each lasting 30 seconds: Choice Reaction (Colored Light): To evaluate decision-making and reasoning, participants must respond to color-coded stimuli (e.g., blue light for the right hand and red light for the left). Lower Limb Reaction Speed Assessment This protocol evaluates decision-making and balance concurrently. Using their dominant leg, participants will deactivate specific colored sensors for 30 seconds.
Performance-Oriented Mobility AssessmentFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), introduced to the literature by Tinetti in 1986, is frequently used to assess balance and gait in elderly individuals and to assess the risk of falls in individuals with conditions affecting balance and gait (Tinetti, 1986). POMA, whose Turkish validity and reliability were conducted by Ağırcan, will be used in our research for the comprehensive assessment of gait and balance (Ağırcan, 2009). Permissions from the authors are provided as an attachment.
Berg Balance AssessmentFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksBerg Balance Test (BBS), one of the frequently used tests in balance assessment in elderly individuals, has a test-retest reliability with an ICC (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient) of 0.91 and high inter-rater reliability with an ICC of 0.97 (Neuls, 2011). BBS, which consists of 14 different tasks or activities, is scored from 0 to 4 for tasks such as sitting to standing, standing without support, sitting without support, etc. The total score varies between 0 and 56, with a high score being interpreted as better balance. The scale, which was validated in Turkish by Şahin and colleagues, shows a high risk of falling, a score of 0 to 20 indicates a moderate risk of falling, a score of 21 to 40 indicates a moderate risk of falling, and a score of 41 to 56 indicates a low risk of falling (Sahin, 2008).
Physical Activity Enjoyment ScaleFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale is one of the scales used to measure enjoyment in physical activity. The test-retest reliability of the scale was reported to be 0.69, showing strong internal consistency and reliability (Weyland et al., 2024). The Turkish validity and reliability of the scale, which consists of 8 items and a single dimension, was conducted by Özkurt et al. in 2022, and it was reported that the Turkish form can be used as a valid and reliable measurement tool (Özkurt, 2022).
Exercise Adherence and Participation RateFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksTo monitor exercise adherence, session attendance will be recorded by the researchers using an Exercise Program Attendance Tracking Chart. Participants who fail to attend four or more sessions (representing a dropout/non-attendance rate of ≥25%) of the 16-session program will be excluded from the study. Furthermore, adherence rates will be compared across the exercise groups.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

CONTACTGULFİDAN TOKGÖZ, Lecturer, PhD (c)
gulfidan.tokgoz@gmail.com+90552 022 76 32
CONTACTSaime Nilay ARMAN, Assoc. Prof. Dr.
saimenilayarman@istanbul.edu.tr+90553 455 87 07
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORGulfidan TOKGÖZ, Lecturer, PhD (c)

İstanbul University-Cerrahpasa

STUDY_DIRECTORSaime Nilay ARMAN, Assoc. Prof. Dr.

İstanbul University-Cerrahpasa

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 25, 2026