Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)NCT07016061
Acute Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation in the Elderly: Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
A study testing Motor İmagery Group, Action Observation Group and Exercise Group in people with Elderly (People Aged 65 or More), run by Dokuz Eylul University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acute action observation, motor imagery, exercise, and combined exercise training on parameters such as balance, reaction time, flexibility, fear of falling, cognitive status, attention, and memory in older adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 to 85 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)
- What is being tested?
- Motor İmagery Group, Action Observation Group and Exercise Group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2025to 20 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 65 to 85 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Being aged 65 years or older, Female gender, Literate in Turkish, Scoring 21 or above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Version 7.1, No health conditions that would prevent participation in exercise
Who cannot join
- Presence of serious health problems that would prevent participation in the study (e.g., trauma, cancer, surgery, severe cardiac or musculoskeletal disorders)
- Participation in other intervention trials or observational studies during the intervention period, or initiation of a physical exercise program within 2 weeks following the intervention period
- Any medical condition or chronic medication use that may jeopardize safety or affect cognitive functions (e.g., neuroleptics)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Dokuz Eylül University
Izmir, İzmir, 35330
tolunay keskın, PhD student, +905367773239, tolunaykskn1@gmail.com
About this study
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acute action observation, motor imagery, exercise, and combined exercise training on parameters such as balance, reaction time, flexibility, fear of falling, cognitive status, attention, and memory in older adults.
Read the detailed description
Previous studies investigating motor imagery and action observation training have examined their long-term effects in both young and older adults. Existing evidence regarding the benefits of exercise training indicates positive effects in both populations. However, the number of studies focusing on the acute effects of motor imagery and action observation training in the literature is very limited. Individuals who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned-using the Research Randomizer application-into five groups: motor imagery, action observation, exercise, combined exercise, and control group. A total of 50 participants, with 10 individuals in each group, will be included in the study. Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention.
- Conditions
- Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)
- Being tested
- Motor İmagery Group, Action Observation Group, Exercise Group, Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise)
- Keywords
- imagery, Mirror Neurons, exercise
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Motor İmagery GroupOther
Participants will engage in a motor imagery exercise program consisting of 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of motor imagery, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes. The intervention will be administered in three sessions per week for one week.
Action Observation GroupOther
Participants will receive an action observation training program delivered by researchers, including 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of action observation, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes. The intervention will be administered in three sessions per week for one week.
Exercise GroupOther
Participants will perform a standard physical exercise program. The session will last 30 minutes, including warm-up, exercise, and cool-down phases. The intervention will be administered in three sessions per week for one week.
Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise)Other
articipants will engage in a combined motor imagery and action observation program for a total of 30 minutes, incorporating elements of both interventions. The intervention will be administered in three sessions per week for one week.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Motor İmagery Group | Active comparator | Motor imagery is the mental simulation of movement without actual physical execution. Participants will engage in a motor imagery exercise program consisting of 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of motor imagery, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes. Receives: Other: Motor İmagery Group |
| Action Observation Group | Active comparator | Participants will receive an action observation training program delivered by researchers, including 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of action observation, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes. Receives: Other: Action Observation Group |
| Exercise Group | Active comparator | Participants will perform a standard physical exercise program. The session will last 30 minutes, including warm-up, exercise, and cool-down phases. Receives: Other: Exercise Group |
| Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise) | Active comparator | Participants will engage in a combined motor imagery and action observation program for a total of 30 minutes, incorporating elements of both interventions. Receives: Other: Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise) |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants will not receive any intervention during the study period. After the completion of the 3-session evaluation phase, they will be given the option to participate in the exercise program if they wish. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple and widely used clinical test to assess functional mobility, balance, and fall risk in older adults. It measures the time it takes for an individual to stand up from a chair, walk three meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down.
Measured: 2 weeks
Secondary outcomes (9)
Functional Reach Test (FRT)
The Functional Reach Test (FRT) is a clinical assessment tool used to evaluate dynamic balance and stability. It measures the maximum distance an individual can reach forward beyond arm's length while standing in a fixed position without losing balance or taking a step.
Measured: 2 weeks
10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
The 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) is a standardized assessment used to measure walking speed over a short distance. It evaluates functional mobility, gait performance, and lower extremity motor function by recording the time taken to walk a distance of 10 meters at a comfortable or maximum pace.
Measured: 2 weeks
Computerized Serial Reaction Time Test (SRTT)
The Computerized Serial Reaction Time Test (SRTT) is a cognitive-motor task used to assess implicit motor learning, reaction time, and attention. In this test, participants respond as quickly and accurately as possible to visual stimuli that appear in a specific sequence on a computer screen, allowing for the measurement of both response speed and learning patterns
Measured: 2 weeks
Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST)
The Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) is a simple and reliable clinical assessment used to evaluate lower limb muscle strength, functional mobility, and fall risk. It measures the time it takes for an individual to rise from a chair and sit back down five times as quickly as possible without using their arms for support
Measured: 2 weeks
Back Scratch Test
The Back Scratch Test is a flexibility assessment used to measure the range of motion and flexibility of the upper body, particularly the shoulders. It involves reaching one hand over the shoulder and the other behind the back to see how close the fingers can come to each other, or whether they overlap.
Measured: 2 weeks
Falls Efficacy Scale International, FES-I
The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) is a validated questionnaire designed to assess fear of falling in older adults. It measures the level of concern individuals have about falling during a range of daily activities, both inside and outside the home. Higher scores indicate greater fear of falling.
Measured: 2 weeks
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely used screening tool designed to detect mild cognitive impairment. It assesses various cognitive domains including attention, executive functions, memory, language, visuospatial skills, and orientation. The test provides a total score out of 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance.
Measured: 2 weeks
Trail Making Test
The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a neuropsychological assessment used to evaluate visual attention, processing speed, and executive function. It consists of two parts: Part A requires connecting numbered dots in sequence, while Part B involves alternating between numbers and letters in order. The time taken to complete each part is recorded, with longer times indicating potential cognitive impairment
Measured: 2 weeks
Verbal Memory Processes Test
The Verbal Memory Processes Test is a neuropsychological assessment designed to evaluate various aspects of verbal memory, including encoding, storage, and retrieval of verbal information. It typically involves tasks such as recalling word lists, story recall, or recognizing verbal stimuli to assess immediate and delayed memory performance
Measured: 2 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Jun 2025
- Study start15 Jun 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Jul 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Aug 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be divided into five groups: a motor imagery group, an action observation group, an exercise group, a combined exercise group, and a control group.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Dokuz Eylul University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, tolunay keskin, Dokuz Eylul University
- Investigators
- tolunay keskın, Phd Student, Principal investigator, Dokuz Eylul University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07016061
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024/16-20
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 3 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 11 Jun 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: I do not consent to the use of my data
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Jun 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation in the Elderly: Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07016061
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024/16-20
- Conditions
- Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)
- Keywords
- imagery, Mirror Neurons, exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Dokuz Eylul UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jun 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jul 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 11 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acute action observation, motor imagery, exercise, and combined exercise training on parameters such as balance, reaction time, flexibility, fear of falling, cognitive status, attention, and memory in older adults.
Detailed description
Previous studies investigating motor imagery and action observation training have examined their long-term effects in both young and older adults. Existing evidence regarding the benefits of exercise training indicates positive effects in both populations. However, the number of studies focusing on the acute effects of motor imagery and action observation training in the literature is very limited. Individuals who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned-using the Research Randomizer application-into five groups: motor imagery, action observation, exercise, combined exercise, and control group. A total of 50 participants, with 10 individuals in each group, will be included in the study. Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 5
- Model description
- Participants will be divided into five groups: a motor imagery group, an action observation group, an exercise group, a combined exercise group, and a control group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Motor İmagery Group | Active comparator | Other: Motor İmagery GroupMotor imagery is the mental simulation of movement without actual physical execution. Participants will engage in a motor imagery exercise program consisting of 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of motor imagery, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes. |
| Action Observation Group | Active comparator | Other: Action Observation GroupParticipants will receive an action observation training program delivered by researchers, including 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of action observation, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes. |
| Exercise Group | Active comparator | Other: Exercise GroupParticipants will perform a standard physical exercise program. The session will last 30 minutes, including warm-up, exercise, and cool-down phases. |
| Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise) | Active comparator | Other: Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise)Participants will engage in a combined motor imagery and action observation program for a total of 30 minutes, incorporating elements of both interventions. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants will not receive any intervention during the study period. After the completion of the 3-session evaluation phase, they will be given the option to participate in the exercise program if they wish. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 to 85 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Being aged 65 years or older, Female gender, Literate in Turkish, Scoring 21 or above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Version 7.1, No health conditions that would prevent participation in exercise
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Presence of serious health problems that would prevent participation in the study (e.g., trauma, cancer, surgery, severe cardiac or musculoskeletal disorders)
- Participation in other intervention trials or observational studies during the intervention period, or initiation of a physical exercise program within 2 weeks following the intervention period
- Any medical condition or chronic medication use that may jeopardize safety or affect cognitive functions (e.g., neuroleptics)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Motor İmagery GroupParticipants will engage in a motor imagery exercise program consisting of 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of motor imagery, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes. The intervention will be administered in three sessions per week for one week. | Other | Motor İmagery Group |
| Action Observation GroupParticipants will receive an action observation training program delivered by researchers, including 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of action observation, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes. The intervention will be administered in three sessions per week for one week. | Other | Action Observation Group |
| Exercise GroupParticipants will perform a standard physical exercise program. The session will last 30 minutes, including warm-up, exercise, and cool-down phases. The intervention will be administered in three sessions per week for one week. | Other | Exercise Group |
| Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise)articipants will engage in a combined motor imagery and action observation program for a total of 30 minutes, incorporating elements of both interventions. The intervention will be administered in three sessions per week for one week. | Other | Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise) |
Primary outcome
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
Time frame: 2 weeks
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple and widely used clinical test to assess functional mobility, balance, and fall risk in older adults. It measures the time it takes for an individual to stand up from a chair, walk three meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down.
9 secondary outcomes
Functional Reach Test (FRT)
Time frame: 2 weeks
10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Computerized Serial Reaction Time Test (SRTT)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Back Scratch Test
Time frame: 2 weeks
Falls Efficacy Scale International, FES-I
Time frame: 2 weeks
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Trail Making Test
Time frame: 2 weeks
Verbal Memory Processes Test
Time frame: 2 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 Jun 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. I do not consent to the use of my data
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
tolunay keskın, Phd Student principal investigator
Dokuz Eylul University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Motor İmagery Group, Action Observation Group and Exercise Group in people with Elderly (People Aged 65 or More), run by Dokuz Eylul University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Jun 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Tolunay Keskin, Phd Student (+905367773239, tolunaykskn1@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test (time frame: 2 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Jun 2025.