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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 110

iWalk: an eight-week mindfulness walking program to build resilience

Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Walking Meditation Intervention (iWalk) to Enhance Resilience in Adults

Run by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NCT07285954 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This program tests whether an eight-week guided walking meditation can help adults with neurodegenerative conditions (like MS) improve resilience, mood, and self-regulation.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 110 Years
SexAll
Enrollment90 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Urbana, Illinois)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 1, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2029
Study endsDecember 31, 2029
Registry record updatedDecember 16, 2025
Trial IDNCT07285954 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults (18+) with a clinical diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease (e.g., MS) who can walk with or without an assistive device, have no severe cognitive impairment (TICS-M ≥ 21), are right-handed, have internet access, have not regularly practiced meditation, and are willing to be randomized and wear a Fitbit.

Probably not a fit

People with severe cognitive impairment, inability to attend in-person sessions, regular prior meditation training, or who cannot wear/accept wearable sensors may not benefit or be eligible for 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 randomized controlled trial tests the iWalk program, an 8-week multi-component intervention combining mindfulness-based stress reduction, guided walking meditation, weekly education, and group reflection. Participants in the intervention attend three one-hour sessions per week (two via Zoom and one in-person), while a waitlist control group receives usual care and is offered iWalk after the study. Outcomes are measured with psychological questionnaires, cognitive tasks, balance testing, electroencephalography (EEG), and wearable sensors (Fitbit and Hexoskin) at baseline and post-intervention. The study also tracks recruitment, retention, acceptability, and adherence to determine feasibility and preliminary effects over a 10-week participation period.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, iWalk could provide a non-drug option to boost resilience, emotional regulation, and everyday functioning for people with MS and related neurodegenerative conditions.

How similar studies have gone: Prior mindfulness and walking-based programs have shown modest improvements in mood, stress, and quality of life in people with MS, but combining guided walking meditation with EEG and continuous wearable monitoring is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 years or older,
2. clinical diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, etc.,
3. have not practiced meditation regularly (e.g., 10 mins per day) and have never attended any meditation classes or community programs,
4. never received meditation training via coaching/certification/life coaching,
5. have internet access,
6. with no severe cognitive impairment, i.e., have a score of ≥ 21 on Modified Telephonic Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-M),
7. be able to walk with or without an assistive device (Patient determined Disease Steps score ranged from 0-6),
8. are willing to be randomized to an intervention or a control group,
9. are willing to wear Fitbit (a wrist smart watch) for eight weeks,
10. are individuals who are right-handed according to the Edinburgh Handedness Questionnaire,
11. are willing to participate in all assessments, including in-person testing using electroencephalography (EEG) and cognitive tests, online survey/questionnaires, and online interviews or focus group discussions,
12. are willing to wear a Hexoskin t-shirt, which is a heart rate variability monitor, while doing the assessments in person.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants who cannot speak, read, write, or listen in English.

Where it's running

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Urbana, Illinois, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Neurodegenerative Disease 8EEG 11Mindfulness 196University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 373
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.