The Effects of Somatic-Based Chair Exercises in the Elderly

NCT07618143 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IGUN-ITKOSE-001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of easily applicable somatic-based chair exercises on balance and pain in the elderly. Additionally, the study aims to reveal the impact of exercise on functionality and cognitive level, and the resulting changes in quality of life. The main research questions addressed in this study are:

• What are the most suitable exercise models that can be applied to improve pain control and balance in the elderly?
• How do the results of different approaches aimed at improving the quality of life in the elderly differ?

Conditions

Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)

Keywords

elderly; somatic exercises; balance; quality of life; chair exercises

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Pain Assessment

  Pain will be assessed via the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). BPI measures two objectives: the subjective severity of pain and the causal effect of pain. The questions include numerical rating scales from 0 to 10 (0: none; 1-4: mild; 5-6: moderate, and 7-10: severe).

  1 week before the study (T0); at week 4 (T1) and at week 8 (T2)

• Balance Ability Assessment

  Balance ability will be assessed by using the Berg Balance Test (BBT). The BBT measures balance ability (static and dynamic) among older adults. It is a qualitative measure that assesses balance by performing functional activities such as reaching, bending, transferring, and standing, including most components of postural control. The test contains 14 items. A higher score indicates better balance and a lower risk of falling.

  1 week before the study (T0); at week 4 (T1) and at week 8 (T2)

• Objective Balance Assessment via Becure Balance System

  Objective balance performance will be assessed using the Becure Balance System. The system utilizes the Nintendo WiiFit balance board integrated with computer-based software to evaluate static standing balance, center of gravity distribution, and postural oscillations. The validity and reliability of the system have previously been established.

  1 week before the study (T0); at week 4 (T1) and at week 8 (T2)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Cognitive Assessment

  1 week before the study (T0); at week 4 (T1) and at week 8 (T2)

• Quality of Life Assessment

  1 week before the study (T0); at week 4 (T1) and at week 8 (T2)

• Assessment of Mobility

  1 week before the study (T0); at week 4 (T1) and at week 8 (T2)

• Upper Extremity Muscle Strength Assessment

  1 week before the study (T0); at week 4 (T1) and at week 8 (T2)

• Upper Extremity Flexibility Assessment

  1 week before the study (T0); at week 4 (T1) and at week 8 (T2)

Other Outcomes (1)

• The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

  1 week before the study (T0)

Study Arms (2)

Somatic-based Chair Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will participate in a structured somatic-based chair exercise program. The program will last for 8 weeks, with sessions held twice a week, each lasting 35 to 40 minutes.

Other: Somatic-Based Chair Exercises

Conventional Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The conventional exercise group will participate in a program that combines static stretching and range of motion (ROM) exercises. The exercise program will last for 8 weeks, with sessions held twice a week, each lasting 35 to 40 minutes.

Other: Conventional Exercise Group

Interventions

Somatic-Based Chair Exercises OTHER

The intervention includes a structured somatic-based chair exercise program (SSCE) developed in accordance with Thomas Hanna's somatic education approach. The program consists of gentle, slow, and controlled movements incorporating pandiculation techniques to improve body awareness and movement control. Exercises target multiple body regions, including the neck, trunk, pelvis, shoulders, upper and lower extremities, wrists, hips, and ankles. Sessions will be performed twice weekly for 8 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 35-40 minutes. A total of 35 volunteers will be enrolled in the SSCE.

Also known as: Structured Somatic-Based Chair Exercises, SSCE

Somatic-based Chair Exercise Group

Conventional Exercise Group OTHER

A total of 35 volunteers will be enrolled in the conventional exercise program, which combines range of motion (ROM) exercises and passive stretching of the same body regions and muscle groups as those addressed in the somatic exercise group.

Conventional Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• years of age or older
• To be volunteered to participate
• To be able to speak and understand Turkish at a good level

You may not qualify if:

• Scoring \<24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination
• Any neurological or orthopedic problem that would prevent the implementation of assessment and exercise methods

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medipol University: collaborator
• Istanbul Gedik University: lead

Study Officials

• Pınar Kaya Sarıbaş, Assoc. Prof.

  Medipol University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• İlkay Tuğçe Köse, M.Sc.

  Istanbul Gedik University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

İlkay Tuğçe Köse, M.Sc.

CONTACT

+90 444 5 438; tugce_kose@gedik.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MSc

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: June 1, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): June 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 25, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2027
• Last Updated: June 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05