Robotic stationary‑bike balance training to improve older adults' cycling skills

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Researchers will randomize community-dwelling adults aged 65+ to 20 sessions (20 minutes each) on a perturbation-capable stationary bicycle or to the same bike without perturbations over a three-month period. Before and after the intervention participants complete a validated on-road-style cycling course that measures a range of motor and cognitive cycling tasks to quantify cycling competence. The primary comparison is the change in cycling errors and task performance between the perturbation group and the active control group. Safety is maintained by delivering perturbations in a controlled, seated environment using the PerStBiRo robotic system.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Ability and willingness to provide informed consent and accept randomization to either study arm
* Ability to come to cycle course testing locations
* ≥3 errors in pre-test of cycle course

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe diseases e.g. ischemic heart disease which restricts exercise, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), uncontrolled blood pressure, manifest osteoporosis or any other disease leading to increased fracture risks
* A period less than one year after hip or knee replacement surgery or after fractures of the lower extremities
* Amputation of a lower limb
* Neurological diseases or 6-month after a stroke
* Inability to ambulate independently
* Severe visual impairments (blindness), non-compensable hearing
* Cognitive impairment, scoring less than 24 on the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination), inability to understand and follow instructions
* Participation in another intervention trial at the same time or within the previous 6 months

Where it's running

• Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institut für Biomedizin des Alterns
  Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany Recruiting
• Physical Therapy department, faculty of health sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
  Beersheba, Israel Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Robert Kob, PhD — Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friederich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Study coordinator: Robert Kob, PhD
• Email: robert.kob@fau.de
• Phone: +49 911 530296624

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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.