Clinical Research Directory

Vestibular Balance-Cognition Dual-Task Digital System: Development of a Smart Rehabilitation Platform for the Elderly and Prediction of Balance Function Risks

This study is being done to better understand how vestibular problems and thinking abilities (such as attention and mental flexibility) are related in older adults, and how doing a balance task and a thinking task at the same time affects their performance. Older adults will first complete questionnaires and simple paper-and-pencil tests of attention, memory, and mental rotation while seated. They will then perform standing balance tasks on a portable force platform under different conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, standing on a foam surface) and will repeat some of the thinking tasks at the same time. Next, participants will walk on a treadmill while wearing small motion sensors, both with and without added thinking tasks such as serial subtraction and digit reordering. The total testing time is about 90 minutes. Two groups will be included: healthy older adults and older adults who have had dizziness or falls in the past two years. By comparing these groups, the study aims to provide a basis for designing future dual-task assessment and training programs to reduce balance problems and falls in older adults.

Whole-Body Vibration in Parkinson Disease

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of different frequencies of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) application on balance, gait, cognitive functions, and dual-task performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. Study Hypotheses: H0.1 - There is no effect of different frequencies of WBV application on balance performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.1 - There is an effect of different frequencies of WBV application on balance performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H0.2 - There is no effect of different frequencies of WBV application on gait performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.2 - There is an effect of different frequencies of WBV application on gait performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H0.3 - There is no effect of different frequencies of WBV application on cognitive functions in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.3 - There is an effect of different frequencies of WBV application on cognitive functions in patients with Parkinson's disease. H0.4 - There is no effect of different frequencies of WBV application on dual-task performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.4 - There is an effect of different frequencies of WBV application on dual-task performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H0.5 - There is no effect of different frequencies of WBV application on reaction time in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.5 - There is an effect of different frequencies of WBV application on reaction time in patients with Parkinson's disease. H0.6 - There is no significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of balance performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.6 - There is a significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of balance performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H0.7 - There is no significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of gait performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.7 - There is a significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of gait performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H0.8 - There is no significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of cognitive functions in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.8 - There is a significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of cognitive functions in patients with Parkinson's disease. H0.9 - There is no significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of dual-task performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.9 - There is a significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of dual-task performance in patients with Parkinson's disease. H0.10 - There is no significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of reaction time in patients with Parkinson's disease. H1.10 - There is a significant difference between medium-frequency and low-frequency WBV in terms of reaction time in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Dual-Task Effects on Gait and Balance in MCRS

This study aims to investigate the effects of cognitive load on gait and balance performance in individuals with Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCRS). Participants will perform Timed Up and Go (TUG) and tandem walking tests under single-task and dual-task conditions. The study evaluates cognitive-motor interference and dual-task cost to better understand early markers of cognitive decline and fall risk.