GeriatricBody AwarenessNCT07187076
Body Awareness Therapy in Geriatric Individuals: Role of Biopsychosocial Dynamics
A study testing body awareness in people with Geriatric, run by Recep Tayyip Erdogan University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Population aging is one of the most significant global health trends of the 21st century. As life expectancy increases, so do the physical and psychological challenges faced by older adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 to 85 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Geriatric
- What is being tested?
- body awareness
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 73 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2025to 14 Sep 2025
- 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 65 to 85 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 65 years and older, living independently in the community.
- Capable of walking independently or with minimal assistance.
Who cannot join
- Diagnosed with severe cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24) or dementia.
- Having unstable cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurological conditions in the past 6 months.
- Inability or unwillingness to participate in scheduled sessions or comply with the study protocol.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Body Awareness in Geriatric Individuals
Population aging is one of the most significant global health trends of the 21st century. As life expectancy increases, so do the physical and psychological challenges faced by older adults. Aging is associated with a progressive decline in muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia), reduced mobility, impaired balance, altered gait mechanics, and an increased risk of falls. In addition to these physical changes, older individuals frequently experience psychosocial issues such as anxiety, depression, social isolation, and diminished quality of life.
Conventional physiotherapy programs for elderly individuals typically focus on balance, strength, and mobility training. While these are undeniably effective, they may not fully address the mind-body connection, proprioceptive awareness, and emotional regulation, which are equally important for maintaining overall well-being and functional independence. Recently, body-awareness-based exercise methods have gained attention for their potential to bridge this gap by fostering conscious movement, breath awareness, and improved self-regulation.
Read more
Body Awareness Therapy (BAT), also referred to in the literature as "body awareness-based physiotherapy," is a therapeutic approach that combines gentle physical movements, breathing exercises, postural control, and relaxation techniques. It has been used effectively in various populations, including individuals with chronic pain, mental health disorders, neurological conditions, and musculoskeletal impairments. However, limited evidence exists on its potential applications in geriatric populations, particularly concerning its influence on both physical functioning and psychological well-being.
This study was designed to investigate the effects of a structured Body Awareness-Based Exercise Program (BAEP) on older adults, focusing on its potential to improve physical function (balance, gait, mobility, strength) and psychological outcomes (anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction).
Read the detailed description
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week body awareness-based exercise intervention on:
Physical function: including balance, lower extremity strength, and functional mobility.
Psychological well-being: including anxiety, depression, and perceived life satisfaction.
The secondary objective was to assess the feasibility and adherence to the intervention in an elderly population.
- Methodology 3.1 Study Design
This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial involving two parallel groups:
Experimental Group: received standard physiotherapy plus Body Awareness-Based Exercise Program (BAEP)
Control Group: received only standard physiotherapy care.
The total duration of the intervention was 8 weeks.
3.2 Participants
Participants were recruited from a university-affiliated geriatrics outpatient clinic. A total of 32 elderly individuals, aged 60-80 years, who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to either group using a computerized randomization tool.
Inclusion Criteria
Aged 60-80 years
Able to ambulate independently or with minimal assistance
MMSE score ≥ 24 (cognitively competent)
Medically cleared for physical activity
No history of falls in the last 6 months
Willingness to participate and sign informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
Severe visual, vestibular, or neurological impairments
Uncontrolled cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions
Cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24)
Acute illness or musculoskeletal injury
Ongoing participation in another structured exercise program
Missing more than 2 consecutive sessions
3.3 Sample Size
A priori power analysis (using G*Power 3.1) indicated that a minimum sample of 16 participants per group (total N = 32) would be required to detect a clinically significant change in the 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD), with 80% power and an alpha of 0.05.
- Interventions 4.1 Standard Physiotherapy Program
Both groups participated in a baseline physiotherapy program consisting of:
Respiratory Exercises:
Diaphragmatic breathing
Thoracic expansion (segmental breathing)
Aerobic Training:
Treadmill or overground walking, progressive intensity
Strengthening Exercises:
Resistance band-based lower limb exercises
Balance and Gait Training
Energy conservation techniques and ADL regulation
This was implemented 6 days per week for 8 weeks. Three sessions were supervised, and the remaining were home-based, with telephone monitoring for adherence.
4.2 Body Awareness-Based Exercise Program (BAEP)
Participants in the experimental group additionally received a 1-hour BAEP session once per week, conducted by a physiotherapist with 4 years of experience in the method. The protocol was based on principles by Roxendal and Dropsy, incorporating:
Movement-Based Awareness Training (MBAT)
Breath-focused floor and standing exercises
Pelvic mobility and spinal rotation
Postural alignment and midline recognition
Relaxation and proprioceptive feedback enhancement
All exercises were initiated in supine position to minimize energy demand and maximize sensory feedback. The program was progressively adapted to each individual's comfort and capacity.
Participants were encouraged to keep a body awareness diary to reflect on sensations, posture, and psychological states post-session.
- Outcome Measures 5.1 Baseline and Post-Intervention Assessments
All assessments were conducted at week 0 and repeated at week 8.
- Conditions
- Geriatric
- Being tested
- body awareness
- Keywords
- body awareness, geriatric
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
body awarenessBehavioural
Body Awareness Therapy (BAT) is a somatic-based, movement-centered therapeutic approach that aims to improve individuals' physical, emotional, and psychological well-being by enhancing conscious awareness of bodily sensations, posture, breathing, movement, and internal states.
Originating from Scandinavian physiotherapy models - particularly the work of Berit Heir Bunkan, Roxendal, and Dropsy - BAT integrates principles from:
Proprioceptive neuromuscular retraining
Mindfulness-based movement
Sensorimotor integration
Psychomotor physiotherapy
BAT is not simply a set of physical exercises, but a neuropsychophysical method designed to promote:
Postural control and alignment
Somatic grounding and bodily coherence
Emotional regulation through movement
Enhanced interoception (awareness of internal bodily states)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| body awareness | Experimental | body awareness exercises Receives: Behavioral: body awareness |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ)
valuates the participant's level of body awareness and interoceptive attention, which is the core target of your intervention.
Measured: 8 weeks
Change in Functional Exercise Capacity
The primary outcome will be the change in the distance walked during the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), which is a validated and widely used measure of functional exercise capacity in older adults. Participants will be asked to walk at their own pace in a standardized indoor corridor for 6 minutes, and the total distance (in meters) will be recorded. The test will be conducted following the American Thoracic Society guidelines.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks after the start of the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Sep 2025
- Study start1 Jul 2025
- Primary completion10 Sep 2025
- Study completion14 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for GeriatricStudies 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
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study follows a parallel-group randomized controlled interventional model, designed to assess the impact of a Body Awareness-Based Exercise Program (BAEP) on both physical function and psychological well-being in older adults. It adopts a single-blind approach in which the outcome assessor remains unaware of group allocations to reduce detection bias.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 73 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Seda Karaca, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07187076
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025/429
- Acronym
- Body Awareness
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 20 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: due to patients' rights
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Body Awareness in Geriatric Individuals
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07187076
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Body Awareness / 2025/429
- Conditions
- Geriatric
- Keywords
- body awareness, geriatric
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 73 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 14 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Sep 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.
Population aging is one of the most significant global health trends of the 21st century. As life expectancy increases, so do the physical and psychological challenges faced by older adults. Aging is associated with a progressive decline in muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia), reduced mobility, impaired balance, altered gait mechanics, and an increased risk of falls. In addition to these physical changes, older individuals frequently experience psychosocial issues such as anxiety, depression, social isolation, and diminished quality of life.
Conventional physiotherapy programs for elderly individuals typically focus on balance, strength, and mobility training. While these are undeniably effective, they may not fully address the mind-body connection, proprioceptive awareness, and emotional regulation, which are equally important for maintaining overall well-being and functional independence. Recently, body-awareness-based exercise methods have gained attention for their potential to bridge this gap by fostering conscious movement, breath awareness, and improved self-regulation.
Body Awareness Therapy (BAT), also referred to in the literature as "body awareness-based physiotherapy," is a therapeutic approach that combines gentle physical movements, breathing exercises, postural control, and relaxation techniques. It has been used effectively in various populations, including individuals with chronic pain, mental health disorders, neurological conditions, and musculoskeletal impairments. However, limited evidence exists on its potential applications in geriatric populations, particularly concerning its influence on both physical functioning and psychological well-being.
This study was designed to investigate the effects of a structured Body Awareness-Based Exercise Program (BAEP) on older adults, focusing on its potential to improve physical function (balance, gait, mobility, strength) and psychological outcomes (anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction).
Detailed description
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week body awareness-based exercise intervention on:
Physical function: including balance, lower extremity strength, and functional mobility.
Psychological well-being: including anxiety, depression, and perceived life satisfaction.
The secondary objective was to assess the feasibility and adherence to the intervention in an elderly population.
- Methodology 3.1 Study Design
This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial involving two parallel groups:
Experimental Group: received standard physiotherapy plus Body Awareness-Based Exercise Program (BAEP)
Control Group: received only standard physiotherapy care.
The total duration of the intervention was 8 weeks.
3.2 Participants
Participants were recruited from a university-affiliated geriatrics outpatient clinic. A total of 32 elderly individuals, aged 60-80 years, who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to either group using a computerized randomization tool.
Inclusion Criteria
Aged 60-80 years
Able to ambulate independently or with minimal assistance
MMSE score ≥ 24 (cognitively competent)
Medically cleared for physical activity
No history of falls in the last 6 months
Willingness to participate and sign informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
Severe visual, vestibular, or neurological impairments
Uncontrolled cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions
Cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24)
Acute illness or musculoskeletal injury
Ongoing participation in another structured exercise program
Missing more than 2 consecutive sessions
3.3 Sample Size
A priori power analysis (using G*Power 3.1) indicated that a minimum sample of 16 participants per group (total N = 32) would be required to detect a clinically significant change in the 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD), with 80% power and an alpha of 0.05.
- Interventions 4.1 Standard Physiotherapy Program
Both groups participated in a baseline physiotherapy program consisting of:
Respiratory Exercises:
Diaphragmatic breathing
Thoracic expansion (segmental breathing)
Aerobic Training:
Treadmill or overground walking, progressive intensity
Strengthening Exercises:
Resistance band-based lower limb exercises
Balance and Gait Training
Energy conservation techniques and ADL regulation
This was implemented 6 days per week for 8 weeks. Three sessions were supervised, and the remaining were home-based, with telephone monitoring for adherence.
4.2 Body Awareness-Based Exercise Program (BAEP)
Participants in the experimental group additionally received a 1-hour BAEP session once per week, conducted by a physiotherapist with 4 years of experience in the method. The protocol was based on principles by Roxendal and Dropsy, incorporating:
Movement-Based Awareness Training (MBAT)
Breath-focused floor and standing exercises
Pelvic mobility and spinal rotation
Postural alignment and midline recognition
Relaxation and proprioceptive feedback enhancement
All exercises were initiated in supine position to minimize energy demand and maximize sensory feedback. The program was progressively adapted to each individual's comfort and capacity.
Participants were encouraged to keep a body awareness diary to reflect on sensations, posture, and psychological states post-session.
- Outcome Measures 5.1 Baseline and Post-Intervention Assessments
All assessments were conducted at week 0 and repeated at week 8.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- This study follows a parallel-group randomized controlled interventional model, designed to assess the impact of a Body Awareness-Based Exercise Program (BAEP) on both physical function and psychological well-being in older adults. It adopts a single-blind approach in which the outcome assessor remains unaware of group allocations to reduce detection bias.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| body awareness | Experimental | Behavioral: body awarenessbody awareness exercises |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 to 85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Adults aged 65 years and older, living independently in the community.
- Capable of walking independently or with minimal assistance.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Diagnosed with severe cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24) or dementia.
- Having unstable cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurological conditions in the past 6 months.
- Inability or unwillingness to participate in scheduled sessions or comply with the study protocol.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| body awarenessBody Awareness Therapy (BAT) is a somatic-based, movement-centered therapeutic approach that aims to improve individuals' physical, emotional, and psychological well-being by enhancing conscious awareness of bodily sensations, posture, breathing, movement, and internal states. Originating from Scandinavian physiotherapy models - particularly the work of Berit Heir Bunkan, Roxendal, and Dropsy - BAT integrates principles from: Proprioceptive neuromuscular retraining Mindfulness-based movement Sensorimotor integration Psychomotor physiotherapy BAT is not simply a set of physical exercises, but a neuropsychophysical method designed to promote: Postural control and alignment Somatic grounding and bodily coherence Emotional regulation through movement Enhanced interoception (awareness of internal bodily states) | Behavioural | body awareness |
Primary outcome
Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ)
Time frame: 8 weeks
valuates the participant's level of body awareness and interoceptive attention, which is the core target of your intervention.
Change in Functional Exercise Capacity
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after the start of the intervention
The primary outcome will be the change in the distance walked during the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), which is a validated and widely used measure of functional exercise capacity in older adults. Participants will be asked to walk at their own pace in a standardized indoor corridor for 6 minutes, and the total distance (in meters) will be recorded. The test will be conducted following the American Thoracic Society guidelines.
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 20 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. due to patients' rights
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing body awareness in people with Geriatric, run by Recep Tayyip Erdogan 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 2 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Jan 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 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?
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?
Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 2 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 20 Jan 2026.