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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07418970

Effects of Action Observation Therapy in Geriatric Individuals

This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of Action Observation Therapy (AOT) on cognitive function, balance, fatigue, and functional capacity in geriatric individuals. Participants aged 65 years and older were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group, an exercise group, or an action observation therapy group. The intervention period lasted 8 weeks. The exercise group received a conventional exercise program, while the action observation therapy group watched exercise videos before performing the same exercises. The control group did not participate in any structured exercise program during the study period. Outcome measures included cognitive function, balance performance, fatigue levels, and functional capacity. The study evaluated whether adding action observation therapy to conventional exercise provides additional benefits in older adults.

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Key information

Conditions

Cognitive Function Aging Balance Impairment Fatigue Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

65 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Inonu university

Malatya, 4400, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study is a three-arm randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of Action Observation Therapy (AOT) on cognitive function, balance, fatigue, and functional capacity in geriatric individuals aged 65 years and older.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) a control group that did not receive any structured exercise intervention during the study period, (2) an exercise group that participated in a conventional exercise program, and (3) an action observation therapy group that watched exercise demonstration videos prior to performing the same conventional exercise program.

The intervention period lasted 8 weeks. The conventional exercise program included balance, strengthening, and functional mobility exercises appropriate for older adults. The action observation therapy group observed standardized exercise videos to facilitate motor learning before actively performing the exercises.

Primary and secondary outcome measures included cognitive function (e.g., Montreal Cognitive Assessment), balance performance (e.g., Timed Up and Go Test and One-Leg Stand Test), fatigue levels (e.g., Fatigue Severity Scale), and functional capacity (e.g., 6-Minute Walk Test). Assessments were performed at baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention period.

The primary objective of the study was to determine whether adding action observation therapy to conventional exercise provides additional benefits in cognitive and functional outcomes in geriatric individuals.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 65 years and older
  • Community-dwelling older adults
  • Able to ambulate independently with or without an assistive device
  • Able to understand and follow verbal instructions
  • Provided written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe neurological, vestibular, or orthopedic conditions affecting balance or mobility
  • Severe visual or hearing impairment interfering with participation
  • Diagnosed psychiatric disorders affecting cognitive assessment
  • Participation in another structured exercise program during the study period
  • Any medical condition contraindicating exercise participation

Treatment and study plan

Action

Other

exercise

Action observation therapy

Other

Based on exercise recommendations for older adults from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the researcher developed a conventional exercise training programme suitable for participants aged 65 and over, incorporating balance, strength and flexibility exercises. In parallel, an action observation therapy exercise video recording was prepared for the experimental group participants. The exercises were easy to learn, not complex in terms of memory and performance, performed standing up without sitting down, and progressed from easy to difficult.

The exercise programme was carried out for a total of 16 sessions over four weeks, with 8 repetitions per set for the first four weeks and 12 repetitions per set for the next four weeks, for 30-45 minutes, twice a week.

Participants in the control group were informed that they would be enrolled in their preferred exercise programme afterwards, and no exercise programme was implemented throughout the study. The same exercise program

Primary outcomes

  1. Functional capacity

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    To determine functional capacity, the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) was administered in accordance with the American Thoracic Society protocol. During the test, patients were expected to complete the test by walking as fast as possible on a 30-metre straight corridor without running. Before starting, individuals were informed about the test and verbally advised that they could slow down, rest, and terminate the test if they felt tired or short of breath. The 6MWT test was interpreted according to gender using the following formulas

  2. Dynamic balance performance

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    During the test, the time it took for the patient to get up from the chair they were sitting in, walk a distance of 3 meters, then return to the starting position was measured

  3. Static balance performance

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    The test was performed to measure static standing capacity. The time was started when the person lifted their foot and stopped when the lifted foot touched the ground, the supporting foot bounced, or the person had to take support to maintain balance. It was performed twice with eyes open, and the average time was recorded

  4. Fatigue Level Assement

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Fatigue severity scale was applied to evaluate the fatigue levels of the patients. This scale consists of a total of 9 questions, and each question was scored from one to seven depending on the participants' agreement with the questions. The scores on the scale are 1 point for strongly disagree, 3 points for tend to disagree, 4 points for undecided, 5 points for tend to agree, and 7 points for strongly agree

  5. Cognitive function

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The MoCA evaluates global cognitive performance including attention, memory, language, executive functions, and visuospatial abilities in older adults.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hasan Kalyoncu University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Investigating the Effects of Action Observation Therapy on Cognitive Function, Balance, Fatigue, and Functional Capacity in Geriatric Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 18, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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