Effects of Telerehabilitation-Based Dual-Task Exercises on Balance, Fall Risk, Cognitive Function, and Sleep Quality in Geriatric Individuals

NCT07472101 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: GeriatricDualTaskTelerehab2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dual-task exercises-which simultaneously target cognitive and motor functions-delivered via telerehabilitation on fall risk, balance, cognitive functions, and sleep quality in geriatric individuals.Aging is often associated with balance disorders, increased fall risk, cognitive decline, and impaired sleep quality, all of which significantly impact the quality of life in the elderly. Dual-task interventions require individuals to perform physical and cognitive tasks concurrently, aiming to improve sensorimotor control and enhance balance strategies under cognitive load.This study utilizes telerehabilitation as a cost-effective and sustainable solution to facilitate access to healthcare services, providing a remote alternative to face-to-face rehabilitation. The research aims to demonstrate that dual-task exercises performed through telerehabilitation can contribute to functional recovery, reduce the fear of falling, and increase the safe mobility capacity of geriatric individuals.

Conditions

Aging; Balance Control in Elderly; Sleep Disorder (Disorder)

Keywords

telerehabilitation; dual-task exercise; balance; cognitive function; sleep quality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Balance performance

  Berg Balance Scale (BBS) will be used to assess static and dynamic balance in older adults. Participants perform 14 items evaluating daily functional movements, each scored 0-4 points, total score 0-56. Higher scores indicate better balance. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after 4-week intervention, and at 1-month follow-up.

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 1 month

• Fall risk and fear of falling

  Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I) will be used to evaluate participants' concern about falling during 16 daily activities. Each item is scored 1-4, with higher scores indicating greater fear of falling. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after 4-week intervention, and at 1-month follow-up.

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 1 month

• Sleep quality

  Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used to evaluate sleep quality and disturbances over the past month. Total score ranges 0-21; higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality. Assessments will be performed at baseline, after 4-week intervention, and at 1-month follow-up.

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 1 month

• Balance and gait performance

  Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) will be used to assess both balance (9 items) and gait performance (7 items) in older adults. Each item is scored 0-2 (0 = unable, 1 = partial/unsafe, 2 = safe and correct), with a total score ranging from 0 to 28. Fall risk is classified as high (\<19), medium (19-23), or low (≥24). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after the 4-week intervention, and at 1-month follow-up.

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 1 month

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Functional mobility

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 1 month

• Mental state

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 1 month

• Cognitive function

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 1 month

Study Arms (2)

Telerehabilitation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform supervised telerehabilitation dual-task exercises at home for 4 weeks, 3 days per week, to improve balance, posture, cognitive function, and reduce fall risk. Each session includes warm-up, dual-task exercises (motor + cognitive), and cool-down.

Other: Telerehabilitation Based Dual-Task Exercises

Control Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive an educational brochure including guidance on posture, balance, safe activity, sleep, and the dual-task exercises provided to the intervention group. Participation will be monitored weekly by phone.

Other: Educational Brochure and Phone Follow-Up

Interventions

Telerehabilitation Based Dual-Task Exercises OTHER

Participants perform 4-week home-based dual-task exercises 3 days/week via video call with a physiotherapist. Each session includes 5 minutes of warm-up, 50 minutes of combined motor and cognitive exercises, and 5 minutes of cool-down. Motor tasks focus on balance and posture (semi-tandem, tandem walking, single-leg stance, directional changes). Cognitive tasks are performed simultaneously, including counting, naming objects/colors/animals, simple arithmetic, memory, and sequencing tasks. Task difficulty is progressively increased weekly, and intensity is adjusted individually. The physiotherapist monitors exercise form and safety visually during each session.

Telerehabilitation Group

Educational Brochure and Phone Follow-Up OTHER

Participants receive a brochure covering posture, balance, sleep hygiene, safe physical activity, and the dual-task exercises provided to the intervention group. Weekly phone calls are made to monitor adherence, encourage engagement, and answer questions. Participants perform exercises independently at home, following brochure instructions. No structured telerehabilitation sessions are provided.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years - 74 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Participants aged 65 to 74 years.
• Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score between 41 and 56.
• Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) score between 19 and 23.
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 18 and 30.
• Independent in activities of daily living.
• Able to walk without assistive devices.
• Capable of using video call applications for telerehabilitation sessions.

You may not qualify if:

• Participants younger than 65 years.
• Individuals with cardiovascular diseases.
• Amputees.
• Individuals with severe cognitive impairment.
• Individuals with significant visual or hearing impairments.
• Individuals without internet access.
• Individuals unable to use video call applications for telerehabilitation sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bulent Ecevit University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University

Zonguldak, Kozlu, 67600, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Li F, Harmer P. Prevalence of Falls, Physical Performance, and Dual-Task Cost While Walking in Older Adults at High Risk of Falling with and Without Cognitive Impairment. Clin Interv Aging. 2020 Jun 22;15:945-952. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S254764. eCollection 2020.

  PMID: 32606636 BACKGROUND

• Ghai S, Ghai I, Effenberg AO. Effects of dual tasks and dual-task training on postural stability: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Interv Aging. 2017 Mar 23;12:557-577. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S125201. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 28356727 BACKGROUND

• Cottrell MA, O'Leary SP, Raymer M, Hill AJ, Comans T, Russell TG. Does telerehabilitation result in inferior clinical outcomes compared with in-person care for the management of chronic musculoskeletal spinal conditions in the tertiary hospital setting? A non-randomised pilot clinical trial. J Telemed Telecare. 2021 Aug;27(7):444-452. doi: 10.1177/1357633X19887265. Epub 2019 Nov 26.

  PMID: 31771410 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sleep Wake Disorders; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 10, 2026
• First Posted: March 16, 2026
• Study Start: February 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 2, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 2, 2026
• Last Updated: March 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)