Acute Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation in the Elderly: Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Dokuz Eylül University (DEU)

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)

Treatments: Other: Exercise Group; Other: Action Observation Group; Other: Motor İmagery Group; Other: Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07016061

2024/16-20

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acute action observation, motor imagery, exercise, and combined exercise training on parameters such as balance, reaction time, flexibility, fear of falling, cognitive status, attention, and memory in older adults.

Full description

Previous studies investigating motor imagery and action observation training have examined their long-term effects in both young and older adults. Existing evidence regarding the benefits of exercise training indicates positive effects in both populations. However, the number of studies focusing on the acute effects of motor imagery and action observation training in the literature is very limited. Individuals who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned-using the Research Randomizer application-into five groups: motor imagery, action observation, exercise, combined exercise, and control group. A total of 50 participants, with 10 individuals in each group, will be included in the study. Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 65 to 85 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Being aged 65 years or older, Female gender, Literate in Turkish, Scoring 21 or above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Version 7.1, No health conditions that would prevent participation in exercise

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of serious health problems that would prevent participation in the study (e.g., trauma, cancer, surgery, severe cardiac or musculoskeletal disorders)

Participation in other intervention trials or observational studies during the intervention period, or initiation of a physical exercise program within 2 weeks following the intervention period

Any medical condition or chronic medication use that may jeopardize safety or affect cognitive functions (e.g., neuroleptics)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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50 participants in 5 patient groups

Motor İmagery Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Motor imagery is the mental simulation of movement without actual physical execution. Participants will engage in a motor imagery exercise program consisting of 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of motor imagery, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Motor İmagery Group

Action Observation Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive an action observation training program delivered by researchers, including 5 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of action observation, and 5 minutes of cool-down, totaling 30 minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Action Observation Group

Exercise Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will perform a standard physical exercise program. The session will last 30 minutes, including warm-up, exercise, and cool-down phases.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise Group

Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will engage in a combined motor imagery and action observation program for a total of 30 minutes, incorporating elements of both interventions.

Treatment:

Other: Combined Group (Motor Imagery + Action Observation+Exercise)

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants will not receive any intervention during the study period. After the completion of the 3-session evaluation phase, they will be given the option to participate in the exercise program if they wish.