Virtual Reality-Based Timed Up and Go Test in Young Adults

NCT07362004 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: SelcukU_PT_VR_TUG_ADAPTATION_1
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Functional mobility encompasses the essential motor skills required for individuals to perform activities of daily living independently and safely. One of the most commonly used methods for assessing this parameter is the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The TUG test involves standing up from a chair, walking, turning, walking back three meters, and sitting down, and it is a measurement tool that has demonstrated high sensitivity and reliability in clinical practice for evaluating lower extremity function, mobility, and fall risk. However, tests conducted in conventional clinical settings have limitations in terms of standardization due to examiner-related variability, environmental influences, and measurement subjectivity. These factors may lead to measurement errors, particularly when detecting small performance differences. Advances in virtual reality (VR) technology offer an innovative approach to the assessment and training of motor performance by recreating real-life scenarios in a three-dimensional and interactive manner. VR-based systems allow simultaneous observation of motor and cognitive processes while enhancing user motivation and engagement, thereby making the assessment process more dynamic. Recent studies have demonstrated that VR applications are effective tools in neurological rehabilitation, particularly in conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), for improving balance, walking speed, and functional mobility. A review of the existing literature reveals that studies evaluating the validity and reliability of VR-based functional tests are limited. Moreover, to date, no study has specifically focused on the validity and reliability of the TUG test in an immersive VR environment for assessing lower extremity functional mobility. Therefore, this study aims to address a significant gap in the literature by being one of the first investigations to examine the validity and reliability of a VR-based version of the TUG test. This study aims to determine the feasibility, validity, and reliability of the TUG test administered in an immersive VR environment in asymptomatic young adults aged 18-30 years. Additionally, the relationships between VR-based TUG outcomes and the 4-Meter Walk Test, the Four Square Step Test, and lower extremity muscle strength measurements will be examined.

Conditions

Functional Mobility; Virtual Reality-Based Functional Assessment

Keywords

Functional Mobility; Timed Up and Go Test; Virtual Reality; Immersive Virtual Reality; Validity; Reliability; Young Adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Timed Up and Go Test - Virtual Reality (TUG-VR)

  This outcome measure will be used to assess functional mobility using an immersive virtual reality-based adaptation of the Timed Up and Go test. Test completion time will be automatically recorded by the system. Validity and reliability will be evaluated by comparison with the conventional Timed Up and Go test and repeated measurements performed one week apart.

  Baseline and 1-week follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Timed Up and Go Test - Conventional

  Baseline

• 4-Meter Walk Test

  Baseline

• Four Square Step Test

  Baseline

• Lower Extremity Muscle Strength

  Baseline

• Participant Satisfaction

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

Asymptomatic Young Adults

Asymptomatic young adults aged 18-30 years undergoing conventional and immersive virtual reality-based Timed Up and Go assessments to evaluate feasibility, validity, and reliability.

Other: Clinical Assessments

Interventions

Clinical Assessments OTHER

Participants will perform the Timed Up and Go test using an immersive virtual reality application developed for the Meta Quest 3 platform. The virtual environment digitally replicates the conventional test setup, including the starting position, turning point, and seating area. Test duration is automatically recorded by the system. The virtual reality-based assessment is designed to provide a standardized, objective, and reproducible evaluation of functional mobility and will be repeated to assess test-retest reliability.

Asymptomatic Young Adults

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Asymptomatic young adults aged 18-30 years who are able to perform activities of daily living independently and have no musculoskeletal, neurological, or cardiovascular conditions affecting functional mobility.

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 18 and 30 years,
• Asymptomatic, with no musculoskeletal, neurological, or cardiovascular symptoms,
• Ability to perform activities of daily living independently,
• Visual, auditory, and vestibular functions suitable for virtual reality applications,
• Ability to understand and follow instructions in Turkish,
• Willingness to participate voluntarily in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• History of lower extremity injury, surgical intervention, or serious musculoskeletal condition within the past six months,
• Presence of vestibular disorders, balance impairment, visual or hearing impairments,
• Experiencing symptoms of "VR sickness," such as nausea, dizziness, or spatial disorientation during virtual reality applications,
• History of neurological, cardiovascular, or metabolic diseases,
• Regular participation in heavy exercise or professional sports activities,
• Cognitive impairment that prevents understanding of test instructions,
• Voluntary withdrawal from the study during the research process.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Selcuk University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Selcuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Konya, Selcuklu, 42130, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Maden C, Gozacan Karabulut D, Bagci B. Validity and reliability of an immersive virtual reality adaptation of the 6-minute pegboard and ring test. Hand Surg Rehabil. 2025 Feb;44(1):101981. doi: 10.1016/j.hansur.2024.101981. Epub 2024 Oct 30.

  PMID: 39486588 BACKGROUND

• Massetti T, Trevizan IL, Arab C, Favero FM, Ribeiro-Papa DC, de Mello Monteiro CB. Virtual reality in multiple sclerosis - A systematic review. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2016 Jul;8:107-12. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2016.05.014. Epub 2016 May 21.

  PMID: 27456884 BACKGROUND

• Maggio MG, Russo M, Cuzzola MF, Destro M, La Rosa G, Molonia F, Bramanti P, Lombardo G, De Luca R, Calabro RS. Virtual reality in multiple sclerosis rehabilitation: A review on cognitive and motor outcomes. J Clin Neurosci. 2019 Jul;65:106-111. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2019.03.017. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

  PMID: 30898488 BACKGROUND

• Casuso-Holgado MJ, Martin-Valero R, Carazo AF, Medrano-Sanchez EM, Cortes-Vega MD, Montero-Bancalero FJ. Effectiveness of virtual reality training for balance and gait rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil. 2018 Sep;32(9):1220-1234. doi: 10.1177/0269215518768084. Epub 2018 Apr 13.

  PMID: 29651873 BACKGROUND

• Kear BM, Guck TP, McGaha AL. Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test: Normative Reference Values for Ages 20 to 59 Years and Relationships With Physical and Mental Health Risk Factors. J Prim Care Community Health. 2017 Jan;8(1):9-13. doi: 10.1177/2150131916659282. Epub 2016 Jul 25.

  PMID: 27450179 BACKGROUND

• Herman T, Giladi N, Hausdorff JM. Properties of the 'timed up and go' test: more than meets the eye. Gerontology. 2011;57(3):203-10. doi: 10.1159/000314963. Epub 2010 May 20.

  PMID: 20484884 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• İsmail ÖZSOY, Assoc. Prof. Dr.

  Selcuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Konya, Türkiye

  STUDY CHAIR

• Murat T İNANÇ

  Selcuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Konya, Türkiye

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Mehmet K ALTUNOK, PHD(c) in PT

CONTACT

5558175133; mehmetkaan.altunok@selcuk.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 15, 2026
• First Posted: January 23, 2026
• Study Start: February 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 30, 2026
• Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)