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Effect of Dual Task in Aquatic Physical Therapy in Older Adults

NCT07270094 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 84

Last updated 2025-12-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Population ageing is associated with declines in motor and cognitive functions, which compromise autonomy and increase the risk of falls and cognitive impairment. Dual-task training programs have demonstrated additional benefits for physical and cognitive health compared with motor exercise alone. Aquatic environments provide unique advantages for older adults, facilitating movement execution and increasing adherence. However, evidence comparing aquatic dual-task training with conventional aquatic exercise remains scarce.

This randomized, controlled, double-blind trial aims to compare the effects of an aquatic dual-task training program with those of a conventional aquatic exercise program on cognitive and motor functions in cognitively preserved older adults. Eighty-four participants aged 65 years or older were recruited, screened for eligibility, and randomly assigned to one of two groups: the Dual-Task Aquatic Group (n = 42) or the Conventional Aquatic Exercise Group (n = 42). The 12-week intervention consisted of two weekly sessions of 45 minutes. Cognitive (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; Mini-Mental State Examination) and motor outcomes (Timed Up and Go Test; Berg Balance Scale) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analyses included intra- and inter-group comparisons using non-parametric tests, with a significance level of 5%.

The dual-task group demonstrated significant improvements in balance, functional mobility, and cognitive performance, while the control group showed improvements only in motor outcomes. Between-group comparisons revealed superior cognitive gains in the dual-task group, with no differences in motor outcomes. Adherence exceeded 95% in both groups.

Conditions

  • Healthy Older Adults

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Aquatic Dual-Task Training

Participants perform a structured aquatic exercise program including mobility, balance, and functional strengthening tasks. In the experimental arm, each motor task is performed simultaneously with a cognitive task (dual-task condition), including attention, memory, and executive-function challenges (e.g., verbal fluency, counting backwards, category switching).

BEHAVIORAL

Conventional Aquatic Exercise

Participants perform the same structured aquatic exercise program as the experimental group, including mobility, balance, and functional strengthening tasks, but without the addition of cognitive challenges. Exercises are performed in a single-task motor condition, representing standard aquatic physiotherapy practice.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Instituto Politécnico de Leiria

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Helena S Morgado, BSc · Instituto Politécnico de Leiria

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-04-21
Primary Completion
2025-08-29
Completion
2025-10-26

Countries

  • Portugal

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07270094 on ClinicalTrials.gov