GaitNCT07085364
Attentional Focus Training on Visuomotor Control in Older Adults
A study testing Attentional focus in people with Gait and Attention, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Trial summary
This study will be a pilot randomized controlled trial, to investigate the effectiveness of an external focus training on visuomotor performance while comparing with an active control group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Gait, Attention, Older Adults
- What is being tested?
- Attentional focus
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 31 May 2026
- 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 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- aged 65 or above
- able to walk independently indoor for at least 40 metres
- static visual acuity score 20/40 or above
- scoring 22/30 or above in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Hong Kong version
- without any history of untreated major neurological, vestibular or musculoskeletal deficits (e.g., stroke or Parkinson's disease)
- without any unstable medical condition that can compromise safety during the experiment
- scoring less than 24/28 in the Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool or scoring 50/56 or below in the Berg Balance Scale
Who cannot join
- none
About this study
This study will be a pilot randomized controlled trial, to investigate the effectiveness of an external focus training on visuomotor performance while comparing with an active control group.
Read the detailed description
All eligible participants will be randomly divided into two groups: external focus gait training group (EXT) and active control group (CON). All participants will complete two assessment sessions: at baseline (T0) and immediately following the completion of all training sessions (T1). A total of twelve training sessions (about 45 minutes per session), held twice a week for six weeks, would be provided to participants in both training groups.
- Conditions
- Gait, Attention, Older Adults
- Being tested
- Attentional focus, Control
- Keywords
- attentional focus, gait, visual search, older adults
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Attentional focusBehavioural
Every training session will include the following activities for both groups: a 5-minute warm-up; a 30-minute walking training; and a 5-minute cool-down. The walking training will be conducted within a level-ground walking field. Participants will be instructed to look at and step on specific markers/labels that will be attached along the walking paths.
ControlBehavioural
Every training session will include the following activities for both groups: a 5-minute warm-up; a 30-minute walking training; and a 5-minute cool-down. The walking training will be conducted within a level-ground walking field. No markers/labels will be attached and no relevant instructions will be provided apart from the general instruction.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| EXT | Experimental | External focus manipulation Receives: Behavioral: Attentional focus |
| CON | Active comparator | Traditional manipulation Receives: Behavioral: Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Gait stability - variability of stride time
measured by a 3-D motion capture system; stride time is defined as the interval between two consecutive heel strikes of the same foot; the variability measure is represented by the coefficients of variation (CV) [(standard deviation/mean) × 100]
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Gait stability - variability of stride length
measured by a 3-D motion capture system; stride length is defined as anterior-posterior (A-P) distance between two consecutive heel strike positions of the same foot; the variability measure is represented by the coefficients of variation (CV) [(standard deviation/mean) × 100]
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Gait stability - variability of step width
measured by a 3-D motion capture system; step width is defined as medial-lateral (M-L) distance between two consecutive heel strike positions of the opposite feet; the variability measure is represented by the coefficients of variation (CV) [(standard deviation/mean) × 100]
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Visual search behaviours - location of fixation
measured by a wireless eye tracker; recorded the location that the gaze is fixated on
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Visual search behaviours - the number of fixation
measured by a wireless eye tracker; recorded the number of times the gaze is fixated on each area of interest
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Visual search behaviours - fixation duration
measured by a wireless eye tracker; recorded the duration that the gaze is fixated on each area of interest
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Secondary outcomes (5)
Functional balance and gait
measured by the Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool; min: 0; max: 28; higher scores reflect better functional balance and gait
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Falls efficacy
measured by the Chinese version of the Falls Efficacy Scale International; min: 16; max: 64; higher scores reflect greater concern about falling
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Conscious movement processing
measured by the Chinese version of the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale; min: 10, max: 60; higher scores reflect higher propensity for conscious movement processing
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Functional balance
measured by the Berg Balance Scale; min: 0; max: 56; higher scores reflect better functional balance
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Functional mobility
measured by the Timed 'Up \& Go' Test (in seconds); a longer time to complete reflects poorer functional mobility
Measured: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Jul 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completionFeb 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 May 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for GaitStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07085364
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HSEARS20250107004
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 5 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Attentional Focus Training on Visuomotor Control in Older Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07085364
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HSEARS20250107004
- Conditions
- Gait, Attention, Older Adults
- Keywords
- attentional focus, gait, visual search, older adults
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Jul 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.
This study will be a pilot randomized controlled trial, to investigate the effectiveness of an external focus training on visuomotor performance while comparing with an active control group.
Detailed description
All eligible participants will be randomly divided into two groups: external focus gait training group (EXT) and active control group (CON). All participants will complete two assessment sessions: at baseline (T0) and immediately following the completion of all training sessions (T1). A total of twelve training sessions (about 45 minutes per session), held twice a week for six weeks, would be provided to participants in both training groups.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| EXT | Experimental | Behavioral: Attentional focusExternal focus manipulation |
| CON | Active comparator | Behavioral: ControlTraditional manipulation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- aged 65 or above
- able to walk independently indoor for at least 40 metres
- static visual acuity score 20/40 or above
- scoring 22/30 or above in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Hong Kong version
- without any history of untreated major neurological, vestibular or musculoskeletal deficits (e.g., stroke or Parkinson's disease)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- none
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Attentional focusEvery training session will include the following activities for both groups: a 5-minute warm-up; a 30-minute walking training; and a 5-minute cool-down. The walking training will be conducted within a level-ground walking field. Participants will be instructed to look at and step on specific markers/labels that will be attached along the walking paths. | Behavioural | EXT |
| ControlEvery training session will include the following activities for both groups: a 5-minute warm-up; a 30-minute walking training; and a 5-minute cool-down. The walking training will be conducted within a level-ground walking field. No markers/labels will be attached and no relevant instructions will be provided apart from the general instruction. | Behavioural | CON |
Primary outcome
Gait stability - variability of stride time
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
measured by a 3-D motion capture system; stride time is defined as the interval between two consecutive heel strikes of the same foot; the variability measure is represented by the coefficients of variation (CV) [(standard deviation/mean) × 100]
Gait stability - variability of stride length
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
measured by a 3-D motion capture system; stride length is defined as anterior-posterior (A-P) distance between two consecutive heel strike positions of the same foot; the variability measure is represented by the coefficients of variation (CV) [(standard deviation/mean) × 100]
Gait stability - variability of step width
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
measured by a 3-D motion capture system; step width is defined as medial-lateral (M-L) distance between two consecutive heel strike positions of the opposite feet; the variability measure is represented by the coefficients of variation (CV) [(standard deviation/mean) × 100]
Visual search behaviours - location of fixation
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
measured by a wireless eye tracker; recorded the location that the gaze is fixated on
Visual search behaviours - the number of fixation
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
measured by a wireless eye tracker; recorded the number of times the gaze is fixated on each area of interest
Visual search behaviours - fixation duration
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
measured by a wireless eye tracker; recorded the duration that the gaze is fixated on each area of interest
5 secondary outcomes
Functional balance and gait
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Falls efficacy
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Conscious movement processing
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Functional balance
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
Functional mobility
Time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)
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 25 Jul 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Gait
Not yet recruiting
Holistic Healing for Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA)
Not yet recruiting
Stair Biomechanics and Vibration Study After ACLR
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR), Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Not yet recruiting
Video-based Visual Feedback Combined With Task-oriented Physiotherapy Among Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Recruiting
Effects of Virtual Reality Environments on Walking in Adults With and Without Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis
Recruiting
Effects of Custom 3D Printed Insoles and Short Foot Exercises in Pes Planus
Pes Planus
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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Attentional focus in people with Gait and Attention, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
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 7 inclusion and 1 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 25 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
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?
Gait stability - variability of stride time (time frame: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention)). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. 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 25 Jul 2025.