Neuroathletic Exercise In The Elderly

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Neuroathletic exercise: After warm-up and resetting exercises, it will start with eye muscle training with a star chart. It then consists of exercises that regulate the accommodation reflex, balance the right and left lobes, regulate the vestibular system and rhythm exercises.

Study summary

Objective: The aim of this protocol study was to investigate the effect of neuroathletic exercise on walking speed, fall risk and cognitive function in the elderly.

Method: The study is planned as a single-centre, double-blind, parallel group randomised controlled experimental design and will be conducted in accordance with SPIRIT. The sample of the study will consist of healthy elderly people aged 60-80 years. In order to ensure parametric conditions, the sample will be divided into two groups as experimental group (n=20) in which neuroathletic exercise will be performed and control group (n=20) in which Turkey Physical Activity Guidelines will be given and a total of 40 elderly people will be randomly assigned to the groups. The elderly assigned to the experimental and control groups according to the order of randomisation will be administered the timed up and go test (TUG), short physical performance battery (SPPB), geriatric depression scale (GDÖ), MoCA test as pre-test and post-test. The experimental group will be asked to perform neuroathletic exercises two days a week for 12 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist, and will be asked to perform a home exercise programme one day a week. The control group will be given the Turkish Physical Activity guide. Data will be collected by the researcher.

Results: Considering the limited number of studies on the use of neuroathletic exercises in the literature, it is thought that our randomised controlled study designed to determine the effect of neuroathletic exercise on walking speed, fall risk and cognitive functions in the elderly will contribute to the literature.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Walking speed — 12 week
  • 4-Meter Walking Speed Test: Allows the calculation of walking speed according to the time the participant walks 4 meters on a flat surface. It is a reliable scale widely used to predict mobility and fall risk in elderly individuals (Mehmet et al., 2020)
• Fall risk — 12 week
  • Time Up and Go (TUG) Test: It evaluates the functional mobility level and fall risk by measuring the time it takes for the participant to get up from the chair and walk 3 meters, turn around, come back and sit down again in seconds (Podsiadlo et al., 1991).
• Cognitive function — 12 week
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA): It is a valid and reliable scale that evaluates the participants' performance in cognitive areas such as executive functions, attention, memory, language, and visual-spatial skills. The total score is evaluated out of 30, and scores of 21 and above are considered normal cognitive levels (Nasreddine et al., 1991).

Trial sites (1)

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