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

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

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

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 90 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 110 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Urbana, Illinois)
• Trial ID: NCT07285954 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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.

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.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility 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 this trial is running

Urbana, Illinois

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Urbana, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Chung-Yi Chiu

Conditions Neurodegenerative Disease; EEG; Mindfulness; Adults; Walking meditation; Emotional regulation