Augmented Reality Treadmill Walking for Cognitive and Physical Health in Older Adults

NCT ID: NCT07074613

Last Updated: 2025-07-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-12-06
• Study Completion Date: 2025-01-05

Brief Summary

This study evaluated the feasibility and health effects of using augmented reality (AR) treadmill walking in older adults. Sixty community-dwelling adults aged 65 to 80 years were randomly assigned to either an AR treadmill group or a traditional treadmill group. Both groups participated in supervised walking sessions three times per week for twelve weeks. The study examined changes in mobility, balance, body composition, physiological responses, and participants' perceptions of the AR technology.

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of augmented reality (AR) treadmill walking on mobility-related motor function, body composition, physiological responses, and technology acceptance among older adults. A total of 60 community-dwelling adults aged 65 to 80 years were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (AR treadmill walking) or a control group (traditional treadmill walking).

Participants in both groups engaged in supervised walking sessions three times per week for twelve weeks. Each session lasted 60 minutes, including a 10-minute warm-up, 40-minute treadmill walking, and a 10-minute cool-down. The AR treadmill (JOHNSON 8.1T) provided immersive visual environments and real-time feedback on physiological data. The control group used a standard treadmill (CHANSON CS-6630) without AR features.

Primary outcome measures included stride length, gait speed, and balance. Secondary outcomes included skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, body fat percentage, heart rate, calorie expenditure, walking distance, and technology acceptance assessed by a validated questionnaire.

Statistical analysis included repeated-measures ANOVA, independent t-tests, and Pearson correlation analysis to examine group differences and associations between physiological responses and technology acceptance.

Conditions

Aging; Cognitive Decline; Sarcopenia; Mobility Limitation; Balance Impairment

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Experimental: Augmented Reality Treadmill Walking

Participants in this group performed treadmill walking using the JOHNSON 8.1T treadmill with Passport AR system. The device provided immersive visual environments (e.g., forest trails, hills) and real-time feedback on heart rate, speed, and distance.

Each participant completed supervised walking sessions 3 times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 60 minutes (10-minute warm-up, 40-minute walking, 10-minute cool-down).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

JOHNSON 8.1T treadmill with Passport AR system

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Participants walked on an AR-integrated treadmill with immersive virtual environments and real-time feedback.

Active Comparator: Traditional Treadmill Walking

Participants in this group performed treadmill walking using the CHANSON CS-6630 treadmill, which provided standard speed, time, and distance tracking without augmented reality features.

Each participant completed supervised walking sessions 3 times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 60 minutes (10-minute warm-up, 40-minute walking, 10-minute cool-down).

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Traditional Treadmill Walking

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Participants walked on a traditional treadmill with standard time, speed, and distance tracking, no AR features.

Interventions

Traditional Treadmill Walking

Participants walked on a traditional treadmill with standard time, speed, and distance tracking, no AR features.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

JOHNSON 8.1T treadmill with Passport AR system

Participants walked on an AR-integrated treadmill with immersive virtual environments and real-time feedback.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

CHANSON CS-6630 treadmill

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Community-dwelling adults aged 65 to 80 years

Able to walk independently without assistive devices

Cognitively intact and able to follow instructions

No prior use of augmented reality (AR) exercise programs within the past 3 months

Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Diagnosed with chronic conditions that impair mobility (e.g., cardiovascular disease, severe arthritis)

Severe visual or auditory impairments that affect interaction with AR equipment

Neurological or psychiatric disorders that may interfere with participation

Known susceptibility to motion sickness or discomfort with virtual environments (AR-induced discomfort)

Inability to complete the 12-week training protocol or attend scheduled assessments

• Minimum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 80 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Taiwan College of Performing Arts

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

CHENG-EN WU

Assistant Professor, Office of Physical Education

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Fitness Center, National Taiwan College of Performing Arts

Taipei, No. 177, Section 2, Neihu Rd., Taiwan

Countries

Taiwan

Provided Documents

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

IRB No. 114-86

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

114-86

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id