An interventional study of Square-Stepping Exercises (SSE) with Sensory Perturbation and Square Stepping Exercises (SSE) with Dual-Task Training in COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS, sponsored by University of Management and Technology Lahore. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 60 Years to 85 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-05.
Sponsored by University of Management and Technology Lahore · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized clinical trial is comparing the effects of sensory perturbation and dual task training in combination with square-stepping exercises on reactive balance and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults. Thirty-four (34) older adults who will meet inclusion criteria will be recruited by using non-probability convenient sampling from an old age home. A complete physical history and data of demographic characteristics (age, height, weight, BMI etc.) will be collected from the participants. For intervention participants will be randomly allocated into two groups i.e., A and B. Group A will receive square-stepping exercises with sensory perturbation for 30 minutes, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Group B will receive square-stepping exercises with dual task training for 30 minutes, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Both groups will also receive conventional training for 30 minutes. Measurements of fall risk and reactive balance will be taken at baseline and at 6th week.
University of Management and Technology Lahore is the lead sponsor of 39 studies on the registry; 20 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Aged 60-85 years Both males and females Can walk independently with or without an assistive device Fall efficacy scale = 9-13 TUG =10.9 + 3.9 (20) For cognitive functions: = 24-30 Must be community-dwelling
Exclusion Criteria:
Older adults with neurological conditions and sensori-motor impairments. Severe musculoskeletal impairments e.g., recent fracture Vestibular disorders e.g., Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Severe visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy or cataracts. Cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary instability. (Only if the condition could impair their ability to cooperate or is associated with rapid deterioration).
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Short tests of memory and thinking, each scored out of 30. Lower scores suggest more difficulty; criteria give a range, either to include people with memory problems or to leave them out.
MMSE and MoCA
Short tests of memory and thinking, each scored out of 30. Lower scores suggest more difficulty; criteria give a range, either to include people with memory problems or to leave them out.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants perform square stepping exercise (SSE): stepping pattern in forward, backward, lateral, and diagonal directions on thin mat (250 cm x 100 cm) partitioned into 40 squares (25 cm x 25 cm). After instructor's demonstration, participants memorize and practice each pattern in a supervised group. For sensory perturbation, foam pieces are randomly placed under mat, hidden from participants, creating unpredictable surface that challenges somatosensory input and reactive balance. Foam positions are changed in each session. Pattern difficulty is progressed by increasing complexity of pattern. Session last 30 minutes, 3 per week for 6 weeks. Participants also receive 30 minutes of ACSM-based balance training per session: progressive reduction of base of support (two-legged to one-legged stands); dynamic movements perturbing center of gravity (tandem, toe, heel, sideways walking; raising leg with contralateral arm); heel and toe stands. An instructor supervises all sessions.
Other: Square-Stepping Exercises (SSE) with Sensory Perturbation
Participants perform square stepping exercise (SSE): stepping pattern in forward, backward, lateral, and diagonal directions on thin mat (250 cm x 100 cm) partitioned into 40 squares (25 cm x 25 cm). After instructor's demonstration, participants memorize and practice each pattern in a supervised group. For dual-task training, participants say aloud as many as words possible from a given category (e.g., animals, fruits) while performing one pattern, without repeating words. Categories change with each pattern and progress from general to specific; pattern complexity also increases. Session last 30 minutes, 3 per week for 6 weeks. Participants also receive 30 minutes of ACSM-based balance training per session: progressive reduction of base of support (two-legged to one-legged stands); dynamic movements perturbing center of gravity (tandem, toe, heel, sideways walking; raising leg with contralateral arm); heel and toe stands. An instructor supervises all sessions.
Other: Square Stepping Exercises (SSE) with Dual-Task Training
Participants perform square stepping exercise (SSE): stepping pattern in forward, backward, lateral, and diagonal directions on thin mat (250 cm x 100 cm) partitioned into 40 squares (25 cm x 25 cm). After instructor's demonstration, participants memorize and practice each pattern in a supervised group. For sensory perturbation, foam pieces are randomly placed under mat, hidden from participants, creating unpredictable surface that challenges somatosensory input and reactive balance. Foam positions are changed in each session. Pattern difficulty is progressed by increasing complexity of pattern. Session last 30 minutes, 3 per week for 6 weeks. Participants also receive 30 minutes of ACSM-based balance training per session: progressive reduction of base of support (two-legged to one-legged stands); dynamic movements perturbing center of gravity (tandem, toe, heel, sideways walking; raising leg with contralateral arm); heel and toe stands. An instructor supervises all sessions.
Participants perform square stepping exercise (SSE): stepping pattern in forward, backward, lateral, and diagonal directions on thin mat (250 cm x 100 cm) partitioned into 40 squares (25 cm x 25 cm). After instructor's demonstration, participants memorize and practice each pattern in a supervised group. For dual-task training, participants say aloud as many as words possible from a given category (e.g., animals, fruits) while performing one pattern, without repeating words. Categories change with each pattern and progress from general to specific; pattern complexity also increases. Session last 30 minutes, 3 per week for 6 weeks. Participants also receive 30 minutes of ACSM-based balance training per session: progressive reduction of base of support (two-legged to one-legged stands); dynamic movements perturbing center of gravity (tandem, toe, heel, sideways walking; raising leg with contralateral arm); heel and toe stands. An instructor supervises all sessions.
Berg Balance Scale (for risk of fall)
The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) has 14 items in daily life activities and living settings to evaluate a fall risk. Each item ranges from 0 to 4. The total score is used to classify the fall risk into 3 groups: high-risk group (0-20 points), moderate-risk group (21-40 points), and low-risk group (41-56 points).
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
MiniBESTest (for Reactive Balance)
The Balance Evaluation Systems Test1 (BESTest) was developed to identify the postural control system(s) that underly poor functional balance, enabling physiotherapists to target treatment to a person's specific balance deficit. The Mini-BESTest includes four subscales: transitions/anticipatory postural control, reactive postural control, sensory orientation and stability in gait. Each item is rated on a three-point ordinal scale (0 = severe to 2 = normal).
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Plan to share: Yes — The results data collected, de-identified individual participant data will be shared.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form
Time frame: 6 months after the publication of the manuscript.
Access criteria: The data can be requested from the corresponding author.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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University of Management and Technology Lahore