Walking on downhill, level, or uphill treadmill slopes to improve balance in COPD
Official title: The Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training at Different Slope Types on Balance in COPD Patients
Run by Acibadem University · NCT06644898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will test whether 8 weeks of twice-weekly treadmill walking on downhill, level, or uphill slopes helps improve balance in people with COPD.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 40 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 51 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Acibadem University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Eyüp Sultan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 9, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 1, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | June 13, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06644898 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with COPD classified as GOLD A, B, or E who can walk independently and have no contraindications to exercise are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
People with very severe COPD (GOLD 4), resting hypoxemia, recent exacerbation, other major respiratory disease, recent pulmonary surgery, or significant orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac, or uncontrolled metabolic comorbidities are unlikely to be eligible or benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a randomized, parallel-group interventional trial that will enroll 24 ambulatory patients with COPD and assign them by block randomization to downhill, level, or uphill treadmill walking groups. All participants will perform a baseline 6-minute walk test to set training speed and then complete an 8-week program with twice-weekly supervised sessions where speed and duration are progressively increased. Balance outcomes will be measured before and after the intervention, and repeated-measures analyses (ANOVA) will compare changes between the three slope groups. The study uses convenience sampling and was powered a priori to detect between-group differences with eight participants per group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify simple treadmill slope adjustments that improve balance and potentially lower fall risk for people with COPD.
How similar studies have gone: Pulmonary rehabilitation and aerobic walking have shown benefits for balance and function in COPD, but directly comparing downhill, level, and uphill treadmill slopes is a relatively novel approach with limited prior direct evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Being diagnosed with COPD (A, B, E groups according to GOLD assessment) * Ambulate on your own * Not having any contraindications for exercise Exclusion Criteria: * Being in GOLD 4 stage in spirometric evaluation * Presence of hypoxemia * Participation in another pulmonary rehabilitation program within the last 6 months * Having an exacerbation in the last 1 month * Being diagnosed with additional respiratory disease (asthma, bronchiectasis, etc.) * Having had pulmonary surgery * Having an orthopedic, neurological or cardiac disease that affects exercise * Having uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes * Presence of malignancy
Where it's running
-
Bezmialem Vakif University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Istanbul, Eyüp Sultan, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Meryem Bektaş Karakuş, Research Assistant
- Email: meryem.bektas@acibadem.edu.tr
- Phone: +90 216 500 4195
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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.