Figure-of-eight backward walking test for older adults
Official title: Determination of Reliability, Validity, and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) of the Figure-of-eight Backward Walking Test in Elderly Adults
Run by Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University · NCT07180030 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 87 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kahramanmaraş, Onikişubat) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 15, 2026 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 14, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07180030 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.