The ability to walk safely and efficiently is crucial for older adults to maintain their independence and minimize the risk of falls. In healthy geriatric individuals, walking typically occurs as an automatic process involving motor skills, meaning the movement is generally performed with minimal conscious thought. However, attention can influence motor performance; a lack of focus or distraction can lead to loss of balance and increase the risk of falling during walking. The effects of attention focus on geriatric individuals remain uncertain. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of different attention-focused training on physical performance and cognitive function in geriatric individuals. In this randomized controlled trial, 60 participants will be randomly assigned to four groups: the internal focus exercise group (n = 15), the external focus exercise group (n = 15), the no attention focus group (n = 15), and the control group (n = 15). The control group will consist of participants from a different institution to prevent contamination. Participants in the non-control groups will attend training sessions twice a week (approximately 40 minutes each) for 12 weeks. The experimental groups will complete a total of 24 exercise sessions. All training sessions will be conducted by an experienced physiotherapist. Pre- and post-assessments will be conducted. The sociodemographic characteristics of all participants will be assessed using a descriptive form. Participants' physical performance will be evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the Stair Climbing Test, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), a static balance test (single-leg stance test), and a dynamic balance test (Berg Balance Scale). Cognitive function will be assessed using the Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNSVS) Cognitive Performance and Attention Tests. Additionally, participants' walking will be analyzed using Kinect V2 camera-based software. The data collected from the study will be analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Program for the Social Sciences). Descriptive statistics will include frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. For comparisons, the significance level (p) will be set at 0.05.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), stair climbing test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Berg balance test, and single leg stance test
Timeframe: 12 weeks
Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNSVS)
Timeframe: 12 weeks