Cognitive Task-Based Walking Effects on Cognition, Mood, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Brain Fog

NCT07396779 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: E-10840098-202.3.02-7890
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of cognitive task-based walking exercise on cognitive function, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in older adults experiencing brain fog. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a cognitive task-based walking exercise group or a walking-only exercise group. The intervention will be conducted under physiotherapist supervision, three times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period to compare the effectiveness of the two exercise approaches.

Conditions

Brain Fog; Cognitive Impairment; Geriatric Population

Keywords

Brain Fog; Cognitive Task-Based Exercise; Walking Exercise; Cognitive Function; Sleep Quality; Quality of Life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Montreal Cognitive Assessment

  Cognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), which evaluates multiple cognitive domains including attention, memory, executive functions, language, and orientation. Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance.

  Baseline and after 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Brain Fog Scale

  Baseline and after 4 weeks

• Geriatric Depression Scale

  Baseline and after 4 weeks

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

  Baseline and after 4 weeks

• World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module

  Baseline and after 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform low-intensity walking exercises combined with concurrent cognitive tasks under physiotherapist supervision, three times per week for four weeks.

Other: Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise

Walking-Only Exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will perform the same low-intensity walking exercise protocol without cognitive tasks, under physiotherapist supervision, three times per week for four weeks.

Other: Walking-Only Exercise

Interventions

Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise OTHER

Participants will perform supervised low-intensity walking exercises combined with concurrent cognitive tasks targeting attention, memory, and executive functions, three times per week for four weeks. Each session will last 35 minutes, including a 5-minute warm-up, a 25-minute main walking phase, and a 5-minute cool-down.

Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise

Walking-Only Exercise OTHER

Participants will perform supervised low-intensity walking exercises without concurrent cognitive tasks, three times per week for four weeks. Each session will last 35 minutes, including a 5-minute warm-up, a 25-minute main walking phase, and a 5-minute cool-down.

Walking-Only Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 65 years or older
• Self-reported experience of brain fog symptoms (e.g., reduced attention, concentration, or -mental clarity) for at least the past 4 weeks
• Moderate or higher brain fog severity as determined by the Turkish version of the Brain Fog Scale
• Preserved global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score ≥20)
• Ability to walk independently, with or without an assistive device
• Ability to communicate verbally and follow instructions
• No changes in medication and no acute illness within the past 4 weeks
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed neurodegenerative or neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, stroke, or other major neurological conditions)
• Severe psychiatric disorders
• Medical contraindications to physical exercise
• Severe visual or hearing impairments interfering with assessment or exercise participation
• Inability to adhere to or complete the study procedures and exercise program

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medipol University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Emre Dansuk

Istanbul, Beykoz, 34815, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mental Fatigue; Cognitive Dysfunction; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Fatigue; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Emre Dansuk, PhD

  Medipol University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors will be independent from the intervention process and will be unaware of group assignments during baseline and post-intervention assessments.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: This study is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive task-based walking exercise with walking-only exercise in older adults with brain fog. Participants will undergo supervised low-intensity walking exercises three times per week for four weeks. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and post-intervention to determine the effects on cognitive function, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 1, 2026
• First Posted: February 9, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 22, 2026
• Study Completion: April 22, 2026
• Last Updated: April 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)