NCT07223905

Motor-Cognitive Training for Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 10 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Kansas Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if combined motor-cognitive training can improve motor and cognitive symptoms in older adults with motoric cognitive risk syndrome. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does motor-cognitive training using a virtual reality treadmill improve gait speed? * Does motor-cognitive training using a virtual reality treadmill improve cognitive functions? Researchers will compare virtual reality treadmill training with treadmill training to see if virtual reality treadmill training works to improve motor and cognitive functions in older adults at risk of dementia Participants will * Complete 18 sessions (1 hour, 3x/week, 6 weeks) of either virtual reality treadmill training or treadmill training * Complete a pre- and post-training assessment * Wear an activity sensor for seven days prior to the pre-training assessment and for seven days after the post-training assessment.

Detailed description

The objective of this single-blind randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of combined motor-cognitive training using a virtual reality treadmill with motor training using a conventional treadmill in older adults with Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) syndrome. MCR is a geriatric condition characterized by slow gait speed and subjective cognitive complaints. The coexistence of motor and cognitive impairments in individuals with MCR significantly increases their risk of developing dementia. To date, randomized controlled trials investigating active interventions that simultaneously target both motor and cognitive functions remain scarce. This study will examine whether 18 training sessions, delivered over six weeks at a frequency of three 1-hour sessions per week, using a virtual reality treadmill lead to greater improvements in motor and cognitive outcomes compared to conventional treadmill training.

Conditions

• Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Virtual Reality Treadmill Training	The Virtual Reality Treadmill Training (VRTT) group will complete 18 training sessions over six weeks (three 1-hour sessions per week). Participants will perform prescribed tasks designed to challenge motor, cognitive, and motor-cognitive functions within a VR environment projected onto a screen in front of the treadmill (Fig 1). The VRTT system includes a conventional treadmill with a harness suspension system, camera-based motion capture (Intel RealSense, Santa Clara, CA), and a computer-generated simulation (GaitBetter, Tel Aviv, Israel). The camera tracks the participant's feet movements, which are displayed within the VR environment, allowing participants to see their feet navigating obstacles, pathways, and narrow corridors. Each session will include three walking bouts interspersed with rest breaks, targeting at least 40 minutes of active motor-cognitive training.
BEHAVIORAL	Treadmill Training	Participants in the Treadmill Training (TT) intervention will follow a traditional TT program without feedback from the VR system. 70 The focus will be on increasing gait speed and distance, with no motor-cognitive training such as obstacle crossing or cognitive tasks while walking.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-01
• Primary completion: 2026-10-31
• Completion: 2026-12-31
• First posted: 2025-11-03
• Last updated: 2025-11-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States