Combined mindfulness and walking-pole program for older adults
Social Prescribing for Health Promotion in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Prospective Cohort Study Combining Mindfulness Meditation and Nordic Walking Pole Exercise
This program will try a 4-week mindfulness course followed by 12 weeks of walking-pole exercise to see if it improves physical function, mood, and sleep for community-dwelling adults aged 55 and older.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 1500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 55 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zhunan, Miaoli) |
| Trial ID | NCT07540117 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This prospective, single-group repeated-measures project delivers a 16-week intervention to community-dwelling older adults, beginning with weekly group mindfulness sessions for four weeks and followed by weekly group walking-pole exercise for 12 weeks. All participants receive the same sequential intervention and are encouraged to practice mindfulness at home with guided audio between sessions. Outcomes are measured at baseline, after the mindfulness phase, after completion of the full intervention, and three months after the intervention ends to track change over time. Primary outcomes include physical function, mood and well-being, sleep quality, and indicators of continued participation and lifestyle change.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling adults aged 55 or older who can walk independently or with an assistive device, have normal cognition or only mild cognitive impairment, and are willing to attend group sessions and complete study assessments.
Not a fit: People with recent major surgery or hospitalization, severe cardiovascular or other unstable medical conditions that make exercise unsafe, moderate to severe dementia or severe psychiatric disorders, or an inability to comply with the mindfulness and walking-pole programs are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combined program could improve mobility, balance, emotional well-being, and sleep while encouraging sustained physical activity among older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown benefits of mindfulness for mood and sleep and of structured walking programs for balance and mobility, but combining these approaches in a social-prescribing, community-based sequence is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 55 years and older * Community-dwelling older adults * Able to walk independently or with assistive devices * Normal cognitive function or mild cognitive impairment, with ability to understand and follow study procedures * Willing to sign informed consent * Willing to participate in the intervention and complete study assessments Exclusion Criteria: * Major surgery or hospitalization within the previous 3 months * Severe cardiovascular disease or other medical condition making exercise inappropriate, based on physician assessment * Moderate to severe dementia or other severe psychiatric disorder * Inability to comply with the 4-week mindfulness meditation program or the 12-week walking-pole exercise program
Where this trial is running
Zhunan, Miaoli
- National Health Research Institutes — Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ren-Hua Chung, PhD
- Email: rchung@nhri.edu.tw
- Phone: 886-37206166
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.