Should Dual Task Training or Action Observation Therapy be Used in Geriatric Individuals?

Summary

Summary Aging leads to significant declines in both motor skills and cognitive functions. Declines in walking, balance, and general mobility are particularly evident, while declines in cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and decision-making are also observed. It is crucial to recommend therapeutic interventions that support healthy aging, aim to increase physical and cognitive function, and prevent physical limitations in individuals over 65. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of dual-task training and action observation therapy on parameters such as cognitive function, balance, gait, functional mobility, flexibility, strength, and quality of life in geriatric individuals. Sixty-six individuals over the age of 65 will be randomized into the Dual-Task Training (DTT) group (n=22), the Action Observation Therapy (EGT) group (n=22), and the Control Group (CG) (n=22), which will receive conventional exercise. The exercise program will be applied 3 days per week for 8 weeks in all three groups. To assess balance and walking, the "Tinetti Balance and Walk Test" will be used; to assess functional mobility, the "Timed Up and Go Test" will be used; to obtain information about muscle strength, the "Hand Dynanometer" and the "5-Time Chair Sit-to-Stand Test" will be used; the "Sit-and-Reach Flexibility Test" will be used; to assess quality of life, the "CASP-19 Quality of Life Scale for Elderly People - Turkey Version (CASP-13)" will be used; to assess cognitive functions, the "Mini Mental State Test" and the "Clock Drawing Test" will be used; and perceived fatigue levels after exercise will be assessed using the Modified Borg Scale. The analyses of the data taken into the study will be carried out using SPSS (Statistical Program in Social Sciences). The values of the data will be expressed as numbers, percentages, mean and standard deviation; the significance level (p) will be taken as 0.05 for comparison tests.

Conditions

• Comparison of the Effects of Different Therapies in Geriatric Individuals

Interventions

DEVICE

Conventional exercises with dual task training (cognitive task)

Individuals in this group will undergo exercise sessions under the supervision of a physiotherapist, with cognitive tasks added to conventional exercises, 3 days a week for a total of 8 weeks. EXERCISES 1. Sit-Reach in Bed (15 seconds each) 2. Hip Flexor Stretch Exercise (15 seconds each) 3. Cat-Camel Exercise 4. Bridge Exercise 5. Biceps Curl/Triceps Extension/Upper Limb Abduction While Sitting in a Chair 6. Sit-to-Stand in a Chair 7. One-Legged Stand 8. Mini Squat 9. Tandem Walk Cognitive Tasks to be Used in the Dual-Task Training Group Weeks 1 and 2 Simple single-digit addition Generate random numbers between 1 and 100 Count the days of the week Count the months of the year Repeat two spoken words Count from 0 to 100, incrementing by 10 Generate words starting with the specified letter Count from 1 to 100 The remaining cognitive task examples are in the study description. The exercises and cognitive tasks will be conducted sequentially and simultaneous

DEVICE

Conventional Exercise With Action Observation Therapy

Individuals in this group will watch exercises on a computer screen in three sessions (in bed, sitting, and standing), three days a week for a total of eight weeks. Each exercise in each session will be monitored for two minutes, and each session will be performed under the supervision of a physical therapist for one minute. A one-minute break will be provided between sessions. Each session will last approximately 40-50 minutes. EXERCISES 1. Sit-Reach in Bed (15 seconds each) 2. Hip Flexor Stretch Exercise (15 seconds each) 3. Cat-Camel Exercise 4. Bridge Exercise 5. Biceps Curl/Triceps Extension/Upper Limb Abduction While Sitting in a Chair 6. Sit-to-Stand in a Chair 7. One-Legged Stand 8. Mini Squat 9. Tandem Walk For Example: After watching the video of the exercise period in which you sit and stand on a chair on the computer, do the same exercise by imitating it. (1 set, 10 repetitions) Device: Handheld dynanometer, chair, stopwatch, computer

DEVICE

Conventional Exercise (Control Group)

Individuals in this group will perform conventional exercise sessions under the supervision of a physical therapist three days a week for a total of eight weeks. Each session will last approximately 40-50 minutes. No cognitive tasks or action monitoring therapy will be used during the exercises. EXERCISES 1. Sit-Reach in Bed (15 seconds each) 2. Hip Flexor Stretch Exercise (15 seconds each) 3. Cat-Camel Exercise 4. Bridge Exercise 5. Biceps Curl/Triceps Extension/Upper Limb Abduction While Sitting in a Chair 6. Sit-to-Stand in a Chair 7. One-Legged Stand 8. Mini Squat 9. Tandem Walk. Device: Handheld dynanometer, chair, stopwatch

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Inonu University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Gizem Gül Turan, Lecturer · Inonu University

• Fatma Kızılay, Associate Professor · Inonu University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-12-30

Primary Completion

2026-05-30

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations