AzTrials
AzTrials

Balance Control in ElderlyNCT07785232

Comparative Effects of Cawthrone Cooksey Exercises and Frankle's Exercises on Improving Balance and Quality of Life in Geriatrics Population

A study testing Group A (Cawthrone Cooksey exercises) and Group B ( Frankel's Exercises) in people with Balance Control in Elderly and Quality of Life, run by University of Faisalabad at 1 site in Pakistan.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Geriatrics are one of the most vulnerable groups in any community, as they are at risk for poor balance, falls, injuries, a decline in their independence and quality of life and early mortality. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 50 to 80 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Balance Control in Elderly, Quality of Life
What is being tested?
Group A (Cawthrone Cooksey exercises) and Group B ( Frankel's Exercises)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
26 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
1 Sep 2025to 20 Dec 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 50 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age between 50-80 years. The patient can follow simple commands and perform exercises as required by the rehabilitation process .
  • MMSE > 24 . Berg balance scale 21-40 or moderate imbalance . The capacity to stand for 30 seconds and walk six meters without help or only slight assistance Having not participated in a rehabilitation program in the previous six months

Who cannot join

  • Refused to give consent . Any occurrence of illnesses like stroke throughout the research . Other neurological and musculoskeletal diseases affect balance (alzehmir, Parkinson,epilepsy) .
  • Unstable cardiovascular conditions

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Pakistan1 site
  • Outdoor Department(OPD) of Madinah Teaching Hospital and Affiyat old age home , Faisalabad

    Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 38000

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

Geriatrics are one of the most vulnerable groups in any community, as they are at risk for poor balance, falls, injuries, a decline in their independence and quality of life and early mortality. The goal of the study was to examine the effects of Frankel's exercise and Cawthrone and Cooksey exercises (CCE) on balance and quality of life in older adults, given the importance of balance in performing ADLs and its impact on quality of life. The geriatric population was the subject of a randomized clinical trial. Twenty-six individuals 50 years of age and older who were enrolled at the Madinah Teaching Hospital and the old age home took part in this clinical trial investigation. They were split into two groups using a random number generator (13 in the Caw Throne Cooksey exercise group and 13 in the Frankel's group). The balance disorder questionnaire was used for screening. One group engaged in three 60-minute Caw throne Cooksey exercise sessions every week for two month. The other group was exercise their frankel's three times a week at the same period. The participants' quality of life was assessed using the SF36, Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Berg balance test both before and after the two-month intervention. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Every research subject was provided both written and verbal informed consent.

Read the detailed description

Aging is a natural and gradual process that involves changes in an individual's biological, psychological, and social functioning. Over time, various physiological alterations occur, including increased stress levels, abnormal inflammatory responses, mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced hormone production, and a slower metabolism. These age-related changes can contribute to tissue degeneration and catabolic processes within the body. As a result, there is a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass and strength, loss of nerve fibers, and diminished proprioceptive abilities.

CCEs, or Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises, may help reorganize fresh sensory data about the surroundings and facilitate the development of new vestibular stimulus patterns. Activities that target balance centers include vestibular, proprioceptive, and visual exercises. CCEs, which involve exercises that target balance centers, are the most common procedure for vestibular rehabilitation programs. Furthermore, CCEs may be utilized to help create fresh ambient sensory data (Seyedahmadi et al., 2023).

Cawthorne-Cooksey ex- ercises (CCEs) may serve as support for the reorganization of new environmental sensory information and allow for new patterns of vestibular stimulation to become automatic. CCEs are the most common protocol for vestibular rehabil- itation programs, which include activities that target bal- ance centers such as visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular activities. Furthermore, CCEs can be used to enhance the formation of new environmental sensory information Cawthorne-Cooksey ex- ercises (CCEs) may serve as support for the reorganization of new environmental sensory information and allow for new patterns of vestibular stimulation to become automatic. CCEs are the most common protocol for vestibular rehabil- itation programs, which include activities that target bal- ance centers such as visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular activities. Furthermore, CCEs can be used to enhance the formation of new environmental sensory information The Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises are founded on the principle that consistent exposure to provocative stimuli may result in a reduction of the pathological response associated with the intervention. The first habituation-based exercises were established by Cawthorne and Cooksey in the 1940s. During that period, Cawthorne was engaged in the treatment of patients exhibiting unilateral vestibular abnormalities and the effects following concussions. Cawthorne, in conjunction with Cooksey, developed a series of activities aimed at addressing the symptoms associated with vertigo and the challenges of poor balance experienced by their patients.Cawthorne and Cooksey's treatments cover a variety of activities, such as pursuit and saccadic eye motions, head movements, behaviors that require maintaining eye contact while moving the head, general body movements, and balance-related tasks. These exercises can be carried out in a variety of positions and at different acceleration rates, according to Cawthorne and Cooksey. Additionally, participants were told to perform similar physical exercises with both open and closed eyes. According to Cawthorne and Cooksey, performing these kinds of tasks with the eyes closed reduces the patient's dependence on visual stimuli and likely promotes a more successful adaptation through vestibular and somatosensory systems. Additionally, patients often performed these activities in settings with high levels of activity and noise.

Frankel's exercises are a series of increasingly complex motions performed by ataxic individuals to aid in the restoration of smooth, coordinated, and rhythmic movements. Heinrich Frenkel created the Frenkel's exercise to help people with syphilis improve their proprioception and coordination. Tabetic ataxia is a gait characteristic of untreated syphilis. Through repeated, focused movements of the lower limbs, these workouts train the central nervous system. The exercises can be done in three different positions: sitting, lying down, and standing. Because he proposed exercise as a way to improve gait and recover dexterity, Frenkel may be regarded as the father of rehabilitation medicine. Although the exercise was initially created for patients with tabetic ataxia, a type of sensory ataxia, it has been beneficial for many neurological conditions involving proprioception affectation and coordination. They are a series of exercises that include repeated, gradual movement. The curriculum gets harder as it goes along. For example, the patient may keep an eye on their hand or arm movements and make any necessary adjustments.

This study was designed as randomized controlled trial to examine the comparative effects of Cawthrone cooksey exercises and Frankel's exercise on improving balance and quality of life in geraitrics population. Participants were selected according to inclusion exclusion criteria and then recurited from old age home and madinah hospital and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups using a computer-generated randomization process. Measures were taken to ensure blinding of participants and outcome assessors to minimize bias.

The intervention was delivered over a defined treatment period. one group received cawthrone cooksey exercise while other received frankle's exercise. The protocol was designed to be feasible within routine clinical practice and reproducible in similar health care settings.

Outcome assessments were conducted at predefined time points ,using validated clinical scales to measure changes in balance and quality of life.The selection of these measures was based on their relevance to clinical presentation and their use in prior rehabilitation.

Statistical analysis were performed to evaluate changes over time within each group and to compare differences between groups following the intervention period. Appropriate parametric tests were applied after assessment of data distribution. A threshold for statistical significance was established a priori.

This study aims to contribute the existing body of evidence by providing controlled clinical data on the role of improving balance and quality of life in geriatrics population. The findings are expected to inform clinical practice by clarifying whether the comparative effects of Cawthorne Cooksey exercises and Frankel's exercise on improving balance and quality of life in geriatrics population meaningful benefits beyond conventional physiotherapy alone. Furthermore, the study may serve as a basis for future research exploring optimized rehabilitation.

protocols, longer follow-up durations, and larger multi-center trials.

Being tested
Group A (Cawthrone Cooksey exercises), Group B ( Frankel's Exercises)
Keywords
Balance, Cawthrone Cooksey exercices, Frankel's exercise, Quality of life, Geriatrics

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Group A (Cawthrone Cooksey exercises)Other

    Eyes and head movements, sitting, first slowly, then fast:

    Looking left to right; looking up and down; putting fingers to the face and observing them.

    Head turning left and right(first slowly then quickly) Head moving back and forth (slowly first then quickly Execute movements 4 and 5 while keeping eyes open

    Sitting head and torso movements:

    Rotating the shoulder joint Bending and raising an object in front of you and bend knees Placing object on the ground, lifting it above the head and then putting it back on the ground (the patient should gaze at the object during the exercise) After ten minutes warm up, eight week exercise will be performed.

  • Group B ( Frankel's Exercises)Other

    The exercise program was delivered in supine, seated, and standing positions. In supine, the patient performed 10 repetitions of alternating hip and knee flexion-extension, 10 repetitions of hip abduction-adduction with legs elevated, targeted leg placement to therapist-marked spots or therapist's hands, and passive hip stretching while lying flat. In seated, with back supported, the patient performed 10 alternating straight leg raises with controlled knee extension, heel slides to floor markers, heel/toe raises to designated targets, and sit-to-stand movements from the front edge of a chair without armrests. In standing, the patient performed weight shifting in stride stance, lateral stepping on floor markers, forward walking on a straight-line track, 360° pivot turns without lifting the feet, obstacle-avoidance walking, small-arc hip abduction-adduction, and small-arc hip flexion-extension kicks with straight, locked knees, all while following floor markings in the designated area.

Study groups in NCT07785232
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Group A ( Cawthrone Cooksey exercise )ExperimentalParticipants in Group A was received a structured treatment program including firstly head and eye movement then head torso movements aimed at improving balance and quality of life . Each session was last 50-60 minutes and was administered three times per week.
Receives: Other: Group A (Cawthrone Cooksey exercises)
Group B ( Frankel's exercises )Active comparatorThe exercise program was delivered to participants in supine , seated and standing positions. In these positions different body movements were performed to improve balance and quality of life . The treatment protocol consist of 50 - 60 minutes with three times a week .
Receives: Other: Group B ( Frankel's Exercises)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Improve Balance

    The Berg Balance Scale is a 14-item clinical tool used to assess static and dynamic balance abilities in adults, especially older adults and patients with neurological or mobility impairments. It consist of 14 tasks scored from 0 to 4, with 0 = unable to perform and 4 = independent.

    Measured: Baseline and 8 week ( post-intervention)

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Improve Quality of Life

    The SF-36 = 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. It's one of the most widely used questionnaires to measure health-related quality of life.8 domains grouped into 2 big components :Physical Health Component and Mental Health Component. Each domain scored 0-100. Higher score = better health/QOL.

    Measured: Baseline and week 8 ( post - treatment )

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted25 Aug 2026
  2. Study start1 Sep 2025
  3. Primary completion30 Nov 2025
  4. Study completion20 Dec 2025

Resources

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
This study was a randomized clinical trial. 26 participants were taken according to inclusion and exclusion criteria from outpatient department (OPD) Of Madinah Teaching Hospital and Affiyat old age home Faisalabad through consecutive sampling. Written and verbal informed consent was taken from participant. Total sessions was 24. All population was received their respective treatment thrice a week for 60 minutes. Outcomes were taken at end of sessions according to scale readings that includes balance and quality of life through Berg balance scale and SF-36. Data was analyzed using SPSS 2023.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
26 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07785232
Sponsor's protocol ID
TUF/IRB/94/2025
Status last verified
Sep 2025
First submitted
20 Aug 2026
Last updated
25 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Manko G, Pieniazek M, Tim S, Jekielek M. The Effect of Frankel's Stabilization Exercises and Stabilometric Platform in the Balance in Elderly Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Sep 11;55(9):583. doi: 10.3390/medicina55090583.

    PubMed 31514453
  • Kabuk A, Sevgin O. Comparison of the effects of mechanical hippotherapy and Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises in patients with multiple sclerosis: Randomized trial. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024 Jul;87:105697. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105697. Epub 2024 May 30.

    PubMed 38833975
  • Espinoza-Araneda J, Bravo-Carrasco V, Alvarez C, Marzuca-Nassr GN, Munoz-Mendoza CL, Munoz J, Caparros-Manosalva C. Postural Balance and Gait Parameters of Independent Older Adults: A Sex Difference Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 29;19(7):4064. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19074064.

    PubMed 35409748
  • Dunsky A. The Effect of Balance and Coordination Exercises on Quality of Life in Older Adults: A Mini-Review. Front Aging Neurosci. 2019 Nov 15;11:318. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00318. eCollection 2019.

    PubMed 31803048
  • Denkinger MD, Lukas A, Nikolaus T, Hauer K. Factors associated with fear of falling and associated activity restriction in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015 Jan;23(1):72-86. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2014.03.002. Epub 2014 Mar 15.

    PubMed 24745560
  • Corna S, Nardone A, Prestinari A, Galante M, Grasso M, Schieppati M. Comparison of Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises and sinusoidal support surface translations to improve balance in patients with unilateral vestibular deficit. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003 Aug;84(8):1173-84. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(03)00130-8.

    PubMed 12917857
  • Calisgan E, Talu B. The effect of vestibular and somatosensory rehabilitation in addition to early rehabilitation on balance after stroke: a randomized controlled trial. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2024 Oct;31(7):703-712. doi: 10.1080/10749357.2024.2318096. Epub 2024 Feb 19.

    PubMed 38373015
  • Afrasiabifar A, Karami F, Najafi Doulatabad S. Comparing the effect of Cawthorne-Cooksey and Frenkel exercises on balance in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2018 Jan;32(1):57-65. doi: 10.1177/0269215517714592. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

    PubMed 28629268
  • Fallahzadeh Abarghuei A, Fadavi-Ghaffar M, Tousi S, Amini M, Salehi AR. Effect of cawthorne and cooksey exercises on balance and quality of life of 60 to 80 year- old individuals in Shiraz: A randomized clinical trial. Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2018 Aug 19;32:74. doi: 10.14196/mjiri.32.74. eCollection 2018.

    PubMed 30643749

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Group A (Cawthrone Cooksey exercises) and Group B ( Frankel's Exercises) in people with Balance Control in Elderly and Quality of Life, run by University of Faisalabad at 1 site in Pakistan.

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 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 25 Aug 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 Pakistan. 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?

Improve Balance (time frame: Baseline and 8 week ( post-intervention)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07785232, which also lists 9 linked publications.

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 Aug 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in