"Variable Versus Fixed Auditory-Cued Stepping Training on Balance and Stepping Adaptability in Sedentary Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial."
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 85
- 主要终点
- Change in Y-Balance Test Composite Reach Score
研究概览
简要总结
This study investigates whether stepping training that uses an unpredictable, variable auditory cue - changing both the timing and the direction of each step - improves dynamic balance and stepping adaptability more than stepping training with a constant, predictable auditory cue. Sedentary young adults will be randomly assigned to one of two 4-week training programs and assessed before and after training.
详细描述
Reduced physical activity is associated with diminished neuromuscular reactivity and postural control. While auditory-cued stepping/gait training has demonstrated benefits for balance and stepping performance in clinical populations (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease), evidence in healthy, sedentary young adults remains limited. Motor-learning theory suggests that greater practice variability - in both timing and spatial direction - promotes superior motor adaptation and retention compared with fixed, predictable practice conditions. This randomized controlled trial will compare a combined variable-timing and variable-direction auditory-cued stepping training protocol against a fixed-timing, fixed-direction protocol, in terms of their effects on dynamic balance (Y-Balance Test) and stepping adaptability (Choice Stepping Reaction Time), in sedentary young adults aged 18-35 years, over a 4-week supervised training period.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Other
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 35 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Age 18-35 years
- •Sedentary lifestyle (International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form 'inactive/low' category, or <150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity)
- •Able to stand and walk independently without an assistive device
- •Normal or corrected-to-normal hearing and vision
- •Body Mass Index (BMI) 18.5-29.9 kg/m²
- •Willing and able to provide written informed consent and comply with the 4-week training schedule and assessment sessions
排除标准
- •Diagnosed neurological, vestibular, or orthopedic/musculoskeletal condition known to affect balance or gait (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, vestibular disorders, lower-limb fracture/surgery in the past 6 months)
- •History of falls within the past 12 months
- •Hearing impairment or use of a hearing aid/cochlear implant
- •Uncorrected visual impairment
- •Regular participation in structured exercise, sport, or balance/agility training (>150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous activity)
- •Pregnancy
- •Cardiovascular, respiratory, or other medical contraindication to physical exertion/exercise testing
- •Current use of medication known to affect balance, reaction time, or central nervous system function (e.g., sedatives, anti-vertigo medication)
- •Cognitive or communication impairment that would limit the ability to follow auditory-cued instructions
- •Concurrent enrollment in another balance, stepping, or exercise-intervention study
研究组 & 干预措施
Variable Cueing Group
Participants will receive auditory-cued stepping training with randomly varying inter-stimulus timing (1.5-3.5 seconds) and randomly varying step direction (anterior, posterior, lateral), 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks.
干预措施: Variable-Timing, Variable-Direction Auditory-Cued Stepping Training (Behavioral)
Fixed Cueing Group
Participants will receive auditory-cued stepping training with constant, fixed inter-stimulus timing (every 2.5 seconds) and a single, fixed step direction (forward only), 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks, matched for total training volume with the Variable Cueing Group.
干预措施: Fixed-Timing, Fixed-Direction Auditory-Cued Stepping Training (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Change in Y-Balance Test Composite Reach Score
时间窗: Baseline and 4 weeks
Dynamic balance assessed using the Y-Balance Test, with composite reach score (anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral directions) normalized to limb length and expressed as a percentage.
Change in Choice Stepping Reaction Time
时间窗: Baseline and 4 weeks
Stepping adaptability assessed using Choice Stepping Reaction Time, measured as mean reaction time in milliseconds in response to randomized directional auditory cues.
次要结局
- Change in Four Square Step Test Time(Baseline and 4 weeks)
- Change in Timed Up and Go Test Time(Baseline and 4 weeks)
- Change in Berg Balance Scale Score(Baseline and 4 weeks)
研究者
Beshoy Maher Rezk Hanna
Physical Therapist
Badr University