Effects of Sensory Integration Training on Static Standing Balance in Older Adults

NCT07717034 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FUI/CTR/2025/28
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Balance impairment is a common problem among adults aged 60 years and older due to age-related decline in the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. These impairments increase the risk of falls, reduce mobility, and compromise functional independence and quality of life. Conventional balance training is commonly used to improve postural stability; however, the additional benefits of sensory integration training remain unclear. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of sensory integration training combined with conventional balance training on static standing balance in older adults with a moderate risk of falls. Twenty-eight participants aged 60 years and above will be recruited and randomly allocated into an experimental group (n=14) and a control group (n=14). Experimental group will receive sesnory integration training and control group will receive conventional balance training three times per week for six weeks. Balance performance will be assessed before and after the intervention using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), and Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB). Data will be analyzed using paired-sample t-tests for within-group comparisons and independent-sample t-tests for between-group comparisons. Statistical significance will be set at p\<0.05.

Conditions

Postural Control; Postural Balance; Balance Training

Keywords

sensory integration training; static balance; proprioception; exercise therapy; aged; position sense

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Balance

  The Berg balance scale serves to objectively evaluate a patient's capacity to maintain safe equilibrium throughout a sequence of standardized activities. It comprises 14 components, with each component featuring five levels of scoring ranging from 0 to 4. Score range between 0-56. 0-20 means significant balance problems 21-40 moderate balance problem 41-56 independent with good balance

  6 weeks

• Balance

  The balance error scoring system was used. Score ranges: * 0-10 Excellent * 11-15 Good * 16-20 Average * 21-30 Below Average * \>30 Significant Balance Impairments

  6 weeks

• Balance

  Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance was used Score Ranges: * 120 Seconds (Normal Balance Performance) * 100-119 Seconds (Mild Balance Impairment) * 80-99 Seconds (Moderate Balance Impairment, Increased Risk of Instability and Falls) * \< 80 Seconds (Significant Balance Impairment, High Risk of Falls)

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Sensory Integration Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed three supervised sessions per week following the same static balance progression: standing on both feet, feet side by side, tandem stance, and single-leg stance. Week 1: Static balance exercises on a firm surface. Week 2: Session 1: standard training; Session 2: auditory deprivation; Session 3: visual deprivation with verbal cues. Week 3: Static balance on a sandy surface while wearing comfortable footwear with normal visual and auditory input. Week 4: Session 1: standard training; Session 2: combined auditory and visual deprivation; Session 3: visual deprivation with verbal cues. Week 5: Session 1: standard training; Sessions 2-3: progressive shoulder-tap somatosensory perturbations with safety monitoring. Week 6: Static balance on sand with comfortable footwear. Session 1: visual and auditory deprivation; Session 2: auditory deprivation with picture cues and shoulder taps; Session 3: visual deprivation with verbal cues and shoulder taps

Procedure: sensory integration training with conventional balance training

Conventional Balance training

OTHER

Conventional Balance Training (6 Weeks): Participants attended three supervised sessions per week. Each session included sitting, standing, weight-shifting, gait, and functional balance activities with progressive difficulty. Week 1: Sitting with legs uncrossed, stepping forward/backward/sideways, and ball control while sitting then standing. Week 2: Sitting with legs crossed, marching in place, and head rotations (up/down) during standing and walking. Week 3: Normal standing, reaching tasks in sitting and standing, and trunk rotations during sitting, standing, and walking. Week 4: Tandem stance, picking up objects from a table, stool, and floor, and walking forward, backward, and sideways. Weeks 5-6: Single-leg stance, standing on foam, and dual-task training, including standing while holding a ball over a book and catching a ball, to improve postural control, coordination, and functional balance.

Procedure: conventional balance training

Interventions

conventional balance training PROCEDURE

The control group participated in a structured six-week intervention program consisting exclusively of conventional balance training. Participants attended three supervised sessions per week. Each session included three repetitions of the exercises, with participants allowed a rest period of 30 to 60 seconds between repetitions to prevent fatigue and maintain the quality of each movement. Over the entire six-week period, participants completed a total of 18 supervised sessions.

Conventional Balance training

sensory integration training with conventional balance training PROCEDURE

The experimental group participated in a structured six-week intervention program consisting exclusively of sensory integration training. Participants attended three supervised sessions per week. Each session included three repetitions of the exercises, with participants allowed a rest period of 30 to 60 seconds between repetitions to prevent fatigue and maintain the quality of each movement. Over the entire six-week period, participants completed a total of 18 supervised sessions.

Sensory Integration Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age above 60.
• Both Genders.
• Able to understand and follow command.
• Berg balance score lies between 21-40.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed vestibular and neurological conditions.
• Orthopedic Conditions i.e., Recent fractures or surgeries, cervical spine issues or severe OA
• Severe visual or auditory deficit

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University College of Physical Therapy

Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 19, 2026
• First Posted: July 21, 2026
• Study Start: January 10, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 20, 2026
• Study Completion: June 10, 2026
• Last Updated: July 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

PA (1)