Internal-focus versus external-focus dual-task exercise for walking, balance, and thinking in multiple sclerosis
Official title: The Effect of Internal- or External-Focused Exercise Training, Administered in Conjunction With a Cognitive Task, on Walking, Balance, and Cognitive Functions in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis
Run by Kutahya Health Sciences University · NCT07507084 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This test compares two kinds of supervised exercise combined with simple cognitive tasks to see which helps people with multiple sclerosis walk, balance, and think better.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Kutahya Health Sciences University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kütahya, Merkez) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 15, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | August 30, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | July 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07507084 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 20–60 with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis who can stand and walk (with or without an aid), speak Turkish, and score ≥21 on the MoCA are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
People with a recent MS relapse, other neurological or musculoskeletal conditions affecting gait, uncontrolled cardiorespiratory problems, severe sensory impairments, low cognitive scores (MoCA <21), or inability to attend sessions in Kütahya or understand Turkish are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional program assigns participants to either internal-focus or external-focus dual-task exercise training delivered over eight weeks under a physiotherapist's supervision. Each group practices structured motor exercises while performing concurrent cognitive tasks, with attentional cues directed either to body movements (internal) or movement outcomes (external). Outcomes measured before and after the program include gait performance, balance tests, and cognitive function measures. Participants must be Turkish-speaking adults with MS who can stand and walk and have a MoCA score of at least 21.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a practical clinic-based approach to improve walking, balance, and thinking and potentially lower fall risk for people with MS.
How similar studies have gone: Dual-task training and external-focus strategies have shown benefits for motor and cognitive outcomes in neurological populations and some MS work, but direct comparisons of internal versus external focus combined with dual-task training in MS are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis according to the revised McDonald criteria * Aged between 20 and 60 years * Ability to understand and follow simple instructions * Ability to stand and walk independently or with an assistive device * Ability to speak and understand Turkish * Score of ≥21 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) * Willingness to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * MS relapse within the last 30 days * Presence of any other neurological disease besides Multiple Sclerosis * Any musculoskeletal condition that may affect walking or balance * History of uncontrolled cardiorespiratory conditions within the last 3 months (e.g., hypertension, arrhythmia, tachycardia, or acute cardiopulmonary events) * Severe visual or hearing impairment
Where it's running
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Kütahya Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Sağlıklı Yaşam Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi
Kütahya, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: İsmail Okur, Assistant professor with a Ph.
- Email: ismail.okur@ksbu.edu.tr
- Phone: +90 (555) 243 67 26
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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.