Comparison of the Effectiveness of Treadmill-Based Walking and Dual-Task Walking Training in Alzheimer's Disease

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Alzheimer' Disease; Dementia

Treatments: Other: Dual-Task Treadmill-based Training Group; Other: Treadmill-based Training Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06731049

DT Treadmill Training in AD

Details and patient eligibility

About

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that affects both cognitive and motor functions, making daily life activities more challenging. Motor functions, especially walking and balance, begin to deteriorate early in the disease and progress in parallel with cognitive decline. Dual-task performance, which refers to the ability to perform both motor and cognitive tasks simultaneously, significantly decreases in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Current studies suggest that dual-task exercises can improve both cognitive and motor functions. In this context, treadmill-based dual-task training emerges as a promising approach to mitigate the effects of Alzheimer's disease. The study hypothesizes that treadmill-based dual-task training will have more positive effects on motor and cognitive parameters compared to treadmill exercise alone in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The main research question of this study is whether treadmill-based dual-task exercise training, designed with progressively more challenging cognitive and motor tasks and tailored to the individual, results in significant improvements in motor and cognitive parameters, as well as daily living activities and dual-task performance, compared to a group that only undergoes treadmill exercise.

Full description

The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of treadmill-based dual-task exercise training, which is individually designed and progressively challenging, on functional mobility, cognitive function, walking speed, balance, and dual-task performance in Alzheimer's disease. The results obtained from this training will be compared only to those of treadmill-based walking training. The goal of this project is to enhance the level of independence in daily life by improving cognitive and physical parameters related to body structure and function. In the study, for 8 weeks, the Treadmill-based Training Group will receive walking training on the treadmill twice a week, while the Dual-Task Treadmill-based Training Group will undergo dual-task walking training, which includes both motor and cognitive tasks on the treadmill. At the beginning and end of the 8-week training period, functional mobility, cognitive function, ability to perform activities of daily living, balance, walking speed, and dual-task performance will be measured.

Enrollment: 46 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease according to the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria by a neurologist,
2. In the early or middle stages of the disease according to the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR),
3. Receiving medical treatment for Alzheimer's disease (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine) for at least the past month,
4. Able to walk at least 400 meters in the 6-Minute Walk Test, indicating functional mobility,
5. Able to read and understand instructions given in Turkish.

Exclusion criteria

1. Having Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, or other types of dementia
2. Participating in a structured exercise program within the 6 months prior to starting the study
3. Having pulmonary, neurological, musculoskeletal, or rheumatological diseases that hinder walking
4. Having an unstable medical condition (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, deep vein thrombosis, etc.)
5. Having visual or auditory impairments that make communication difficult
6. Having behavioral problems that make participation in exercise difficult

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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46 participants in 2 patient groups

Treadmill Based Training Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

In the study, for 8 weeks, the Treadmill-based Training Group will undergo walking training on a treadmill two days a week.

Treatment:

Other: Treadmill-based Training Group

Dual-Task Treadmill Based Training Group

Experimental group

Description:

Dual-Task Treadmill-based Training Group will receive dual-task walking training involving both motor and cognitive tasks on the treadmill for 8 week, two days in a week.

Treatment:

Other: Dual-Task Treadmill-based Training Group