Figure-of-eight backward walking test for older adults
Determination of Reliability, Validity, and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) of the Figure-of-eight Backward Walking Test in Elderly Adults
This test will see if a figure-of-eight backward walking task can help measure balance and fall risk in people aged 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 87 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kahramanmaraş, Onikişubat) |
| Trial ID | NCT07180030 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational project asks healthy older adults to perform a figure-of-eight backward walking task while researchers record gait and balance performance. It targets backward and turning movements that are common in daily life but not captured by straight-ahead walking tests. Eligible participants are Turkish-speaking adults aged 65+ without cognitive impairment, major neurological or recent orthopedic problems, severe obesity, vision loss, or use of mobility aids. Testing is performed in person at the university physiotherapy department and will capture performance metrics such as walking speed, stability, and task errors to characterize dynamic balance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Turkish-speaking adults aged 65 or older who are cognitively intact, mobile without assistive devices, and without recent lower-limb surgery, significant orthopedic or neurological conditions, severe obesity, or vision problems.
Not a fit: People with neurological disorders (like Parkinson's), recent lower-extremity surgery, severe orthopedic issues, vision impairment, BMI ≥ 40, or those who use mobility aids are unlikely to be included or benefit from this test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could help identify balance problems and fall risk earlier so clinicians can target interventions to keep older adults safer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked complex gait tasks and backward walking to fall risk, but the figure-of-eight backward walk is a less-studied, relatively novel assessment approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy elderly individuals over 65 years of age. * Elderly individuals who have fluent in Turkish and able to communicate. * Elderly individuals who have no cognitive impairment. Exclusion Criteria: * Elderly individuals who have any neurological problems (Parkinson's, hemiplegia, etc.) * Elderly individuals who have any orthopedic problems (fractures, etc., in the last year) * Elderly individuals who have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2 * Elderly individuals who havevision problems * Elderly individuals who have had any lower extremity surgery in the last year * Elderly individuals who use any mobility aids * Elderly individuals who refuse to participate in the study.
Where this trial is running
Kahramanmaraş, Onikişubat
- Kahramanmaraş Sütçü imam University, Faculty of Health Science, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation — Kahramanmaraş, Onikişubat, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: hatice adıgüzel tat, Associate Professor — Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University
- Study coordinator: hatice adıgüzel tat, Associate Proffessor
- Email: fzthatis@gmail.com
- Phone: +903443002647
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.