Older Adults Without Any Specific Clinical ConditionNCT07025967
Using Mölkky for Community-dwelling Older Adults
A study testing Mölkky and Home activity in people with Older Adults Without Any Specific Clinical Condition, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
Physical activity is known to be a protector against major diseases. However, they usually do closed-skilled types, like jogging, swimming, Tai Chi. Our research showed that older adults benefit more from engaging in open-skilled activities. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Older Adults Without Any Specific Clinical Condition
- What is being tested?
- Mölkky and Home activity
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2024to 31 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 60 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- aged 60 or above,
- having no known pre-existing impairments that would prevent them from physical exercises, and
- had no known terminal disease leading to a life expectancy of less than one year.
Who cannot join
- cognitive impairment that makes them unable to complete the assessments, and
- a history of significant cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease or musculoskeletal dysfunction or exhibited steady hypertension (160/90 mmHg or above) that places them at risk of participating in an exercise program as determined by the centers
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Using Mölkky for Community-dwelling Older Adults - A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Physical activity is known to be a protector against major diseases. However, they usually do closed-skilled types, like jogging, swimming, Tai Chi. Our research showed that older adults benefit more from engaging in open-skilled activities. Mölkky is a Finnish throwing game that is considered an open-skilled activity.
The project investigates the benefits of Mölkky as an open-skilled physical activity and home activity for older adults.
Read the detailed description
This study aims to examine the impacts of Mölkky on the overall functioning and psychological well-being of older adults when compared with a traditional home activity, including exercise and cognitive training.
45 older adults aged 60 or above from elderly service centres complete both baseline and post-program assessments. The Mölkky group receives Mölkky training in preparation for a Mölkky tournament, while the home activity group receives conventionally prescribed exercises and cognitive training. Assessments, including physical, cognitive, psychological and quality of life assessments, were conducted twice, at baseline and after 8 weeks.
- Being tested
- Mölkky, Home activity
- Keywords
- Older adults, Physical activity, Physical functions, Cognitive functions, Well-being
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MölkkyBehavioural
The Mölkky group participants receive two-hour weekly or bi-weekly Mölkky training sessions at their elderly community centers. In the sessions, participants are divided into two teams, taking turns throwing a wooden pin called the Mölkky to hit 12 smaller skittles. The fallen skittles are placed upright where they landed after each turn. The first team that reaches exactly 50 points wins.
Home activityBehavioural
The participants in the home program receive weekly visits by social workers, physiotherapists, or occupational therapists at their homes for an activity regime including closed-skilled exercises and cognitive training. The closed-skilled exercises included stretching, elastic band exercises and functional exercises like tandem standing and bridging. Cognitive training included reality orientation, memory exercises, calculation, and mind-body exercises like Baduanjin.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mölkky group | Experimental | Participants will join the Mölkky. Receives: Behavioral: Mölkky |
| Home activity group | Active comparator | Participants will receive home activities including closed-skilled exercises and cognitive training. Receives: Behavioral: Home activity |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Chinese Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop)
The Chinese Stroop is used to assess participants' selective attention and cognitive flexibility. There are three sub-tests in the Stroop, identifying color of dots (Stroop I), identifying the words under incongruent conditions (Stroop II) and identifying the color of words under incongruent conditions (Stroop III). The time spent on each sub-test and errors which are not self-corrected are recorded. Time interference score is calculated by the formula: Interference = Stroop III - [(Stroop I + Stroop II) / 2], a lower time interference score indicates better performance. The Chinese Stroop has good reliability and validity.
Measured: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
Secondary outcomes (5)
Hong Kong version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (HK-MoCA)
The HK-MoCA is used to assess participants' overall cognitive ability including visuospatial function, naming, delayed recall, attention, language, abstraction, and orientation. A higher score out of 30 indicates better cognition. The HK-MoCA is a reliable and valid cognitive assessment.
Measured: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
Two-Minute Step Test (TMST)
The TMST is used to assess participants' lower limb muscle strength, endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Participants are asked to repeat the action of stepping alternatively in two minutes, the total number of times the right knee is lifted is recorded. Post-it notes placed on the wall next to the participants are used as a height marker for each step, the greater the number of steps that meet the marker, the better the participants' cardiovascular fitness. The TMST is a reliable and valid assessment tool.
Measured: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)
The TUG is used to assess participants' functional mobility. Participants are asked to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn around and go back to their seat. Time used is recorded, a shorter time indicates better physical functioning. The TUG is both reliable and valid assessment.
Measured: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
Geriatric Depression Scale Cantonese Version (GDS-C)
The GDS-C is used to assess participants' psychological well-being. Participants will answer 15 yes-no questions regarding their perception and attitude of their daily lives. A score of 8 or above indicates depressive symptoms. The GDS-C is reliable and valid.
Measured: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
EuroQol-five Dimensions Questionnaire - Hong Kong Chinese version (EQ-5D-5L)
The EQ-5D-5L is used to assess health-related QoL. Participants will rate their health states from 1 to 5 (1 indicates no problem and 5 indicates extreme problems/unable to perform) based on the severity of their problems in 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. The 5-levels of health states are converted to a utility value using a local value. The EQ-5D-5L is reliable and valid.
Measured: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Jun 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2024
- Primary completion31 Jan 2026
- Study completion31 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Older Adults Without Any Specific Clinical ConditionStudies 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
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- A pilot study with a two-group, non-randomized controlled trial design
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, LIU Karen, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Investigators
- Karen Liu, Principal investigator, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07025967
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HongKongPU_Mölkky
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 16 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: The project is considering applying for external funding. The IPD can be shared after the funding application announcement and after data collection.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Using Mölkky for Community-dwelling Older Adults - A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07025967
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HongKongPU_Mölkky
- Keywords
- Older adults, Physical activity, Physical functions, Cognitive functions, Well-being
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 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.
Physical activity is known to be a protector against major diseases. However, they usually do closed-skilled types, like jogging, swimming, Tai Chi. Our research showed that older adults benefit more from engaging in open-skilled activities. Mölkky is a Finnish throwing game that is considered an open-skilled activity.
The project investigates the benefits of Mölkky as an open-skilled physical activity and home activity for older adults.
Detailed description
This study aims to examine the impacts of Mölkky on the overall functioning and psychological well-being of older adults when compared with a traditional home activity, including exercise and cognitive training.
45 older adults aged 60 or above from elderly service centres complete both baseline and post-program assessments. The Mölkky group receives Mölkky training in preparation for a Mölkky tournament, while the home activity group receives conventionally prescribed exercises and cognitive training. Assessments, including physical, cognitive, psychological and quality of life assessments, were conducted twice, at baseline and after 8 weeks.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- A pilot study with a two-group, non-randomized controlled trial design
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mölkky group | Experimental | Behavioral: MölkkyParticipants will join the Mölkky. |
| Home activity group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Home activityParticipants will receive home activities including closed-skilled exercises and cognitive training. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- aged 60 or above,
- having no known pre-existing impairments that would prevent them from physical exercises, and
- had no known terminal disease leading to a life expectancy of less than one year.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- cognitive impairment that makes them unable to complete the assessments, and
- a history of significant cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease or musculoskeletal dysfunction or exhibited steady hypertension (160/90 mmHg or above) that places them at risk of participating in an exercise program as determined by the centers
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 |
|---|---|---|
| MölkkyThe Mölkky group participants receive two-hour weekly or bi-weekly Mölkky training sessions at their elderly community centers. In the sessions, participants are divided into two teams, taking turns throwing a wooden pin called the Mölkky to hit 12 smaller skittles. The fallen skittles are placed upright where they landed after each turn. The first team that reaches exactly 50 points wins. | Behavioural | Mölkky group |
| Home activityThe participants in the home program receive weekly visits by social workers, physiotherapists, or occupational therapists at their homes for an activity regime including closed-skilled exercises and cognitive training. The closed-skilled exercises included stretching, elastic band exercises and functional exercises like tandem standing and bridging. Cognitive training included reality orientation, memory exercises, calculation, and mind-body exercises like Baduanjin. | Behavioural | Home activity group |
Primary outcome
Chinese Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop)
Time frame: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
The Chinese Stroop is used to assess participants' selective attention and cognitive flexibility. There are three sub-tests in the Stroop, identifying color of dots (Stroop I), identifying the words under incongruent conditions (Stroop II) and identifying the color of words under incongruent conditions (Stroop III). The time spent on each sub-test and errors which are not self-corrected are recorded. Time interference score is calculated by the formula: Interference = Stroop III - [(Stroop I + Stroop II) / 2], a lower time interference score indicates better performance. The Chinese Stroop has good reliability and validity.
5 secondary outcomes
Hong Kong version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (HK-MoCA)
Time frame: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
Two-Minute Step Test (TMST)
Time frame: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)
Time frame: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
Geriatric Depression Scale Cantonese Version (GDS-C)
Time frame: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
EuroQol-five Dimensions Questionnaire - Hong Kong Chinese version (EQ-5D-5L)
Time frame: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. The project is considering applying for external funding. The IPD can be shared after the funding application announcement and after data collection.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Karen Liu principal investigator
The Hong Kong Polytechnic 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 Mölkky and Home activity in people with Older Adults Without Any Specific Clinical Condition, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
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 3 inclusion and 2 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Sep 2026. 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 Hong Kong. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Chinese Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop) (time frame: Before the intervention to the end of intervention at 8 weeks; 6 months after the intervention). 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 16 Sep 2026.