Variable vs Fixed Auditory-Cued Stepping Training

NCT07841379 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IRB00014233-92
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 85
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study investigates whether stepping training that uses an unpredictable, variable auditory cue - changing both the timing and the direction of each step - improves dynamic balance and stepping adaptability more than stepping training with a constant, predictable auditory cue. Sedentary young adults will be randomly assigned to one of two 4-week training programs and assessed before and after training.

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior / Physical Inactivity; Sedentary Healthy Young Individuals; Sedentary Lifestyle

Keywords

auditory cueing; stepping training; dynamic balance; stepping adaptability; motor learning; contextual interference; sedentary young adult; rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Y-Balance Test Composite Reach Score

  Dynamic balance assessed using the Y-Balance Test, with composite reach score (anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral directions) normalized to limb length and expressed as a percentage.

  Baseline and 4 weeks

• Change in Choice Stepping Reaction Time

  Stepping adaptability assessed using Choice Stepping Reaction Time, measured as mean reaction time in milliseconds in response to randomized directional auditory cues.

  Baseline and 4 weeks

• Change in Choice Stepping Reaction Time

  Stepping adaptability assessed using Choice Stepping Reaction Time, measured as accuracy (percentage of correct responses) in response to randomized directional auditory cues.

  Baseline and 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Four Square Step Test Time

  Baseline and 4 weeks

• Change in Timed Up and Go Test Time

  Baseline and 4 weeks

• Change in Berg Balance Scale Score

  Baseline and 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Variable Cueing Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive auditory-cued stepping training with randomly varying inter-stimulus timing (1.5-3.5 seconds) and randomly varying step direction (anterior, posterior, lateral), 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks.

Behavioral: Variable-Timing, Variable-Direction Auditory-Cued Stepping Training

Fixed Cueing Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive auditory-cued stepping training with constant, fixed inter-stimulus timing (every 2.5 seconds) and a single, fixed step direction (forward only), 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks, matched for total training volume with the Variable Cueing Group.

Behavioral: Fixed-Timing, Fixed-Direction Auditory-Cued Stepping Training

Interventions

Variable-Timing, Variable-Direction Auditory-Cued Stepping Training BEHAVIORAL

A supervised stepping-training program delivered 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total). Each session includes a 5-minute warm-up, 20-25 minutes of auditory-cued stepping training, and a 5-minute cool-down. During the main training phase, participants respond to auditory cues with randomly varying inter-stimulus timing (1.5-3.5 seconds) and randomly varying step direction (anterior, posterior, lateral), stepping onto the cued target as quickly as possible before returning to a central start position.

Variable Cueing Group

Fixed-Timing, Fixed-Direction Auditory-Cued Stepping Training BEHAVIORAL

A supervised stepping-training program delivered 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total), identical in structure, duration, and total training volume to the Variable Cueing Group. During the main training phase, participants respond to auditory cues delivered at a constant, fixed inter-stimulus interval (every 2.5 seconds) and a single, fixed step direction (forward only), stepping onto the fixed target before returning to a central start position.

Fixed Cueing Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-35 years
• Sedentary lifestyle (International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form 'inactive/low' category, or \<150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity)
• Able to stand and walk independently without an assistive device
• Normal or corrected-to-normal hearing and vision
• Body Mass Index (BMI) 18.5-29.9 kg/m²
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent and comply with the 4-week training schedule and assessment sessions

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed neurological, vestibular, or orthopedic/musculoskeletal condition known to affect balance or gait (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, vestibular disorders, lower-limb fracture/surgery in the past 6 months)
• History of falls within the past 12 months
• Hearing impairment or use of a hearing aid/cochlear implant
• Uncorrected visual impairment
• Regular participation in structured exercise, sport, or balance/agility training (\>150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous activity)
• Pregnancy
• Cardiovascular, respiratory, or other medical contraindication to physical exertion/exercise testing
• Current use of medication known to affect balance, reaction time, or central nervous system function (e.g., sedatives, anti-vertigo medication)
• Cognitive or communication impairment that would limit the ability to follow auditory-cued instructions
• Concurrent enrollment in another balance, stepping, or exercise-intervention study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beshoy Maher Rezk Hanna: lead
• Badr University: collaborator

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Beshoy Maher Rezk Hanna

CONTACT

01227078824; beshoy.2021003763@buc.edu.eg

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physical Therapist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 7, 2026
• First Posted: September 25, 2026
• Study Start: September 8, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 6, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 6, 2026
• Last Updated: September 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share