Effect of Otago vs. Sensorimotor Training on Balance and Fall Risk in People With Diabetes

September 27, 2026 updated by: Omneya Mohamed Ahmed, Cairo University

OTAGO VERSUS SENSORIMOTOR TRAINING ON DYNAMIC POSTURAL STABILITY AND RISK OF FALL IN DIABETIC PATIENTS.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of the Otago Exercise Program versus Sensorimotor Training on dynamic postural stability and risk of fall in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Participants will be randomly assigned into two equal intervention groups. One group will receive the Otago Exercise Program, while the other group will receive Sensorimotor Training. Both groups will participate in their respective exercise protocols for 8 weeks. Dynamic postural stability and the risk of falling will be assessed before and after the intervention period using standardized physical therapy evaluation tools.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
40

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

45 years to 55 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus for at least 5 years.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) ranging from 18.0 to 27.4 kg/m2.
  • Age between 45 and 55 years.
  • Clinically and medically stable.
  • Able to ambulate independently without assistive devices.
  • Mild to moderate balance impairment based on the Mini-BESTest score.
  • Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 6.5% or higher.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe diabetic complications (e.g., advanced neuropathy with complete loss of protective sensation, active foot ulcers, or lower limb amputations).
  • Neurological disorders affecting balance other than diabetic neuropathy (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis).
  • Musculoskeletal conditions severely affecting lower limb function (e.g., severe osteoarthritis, recent lower limb fractures, or major orthopedic surgery).
  • Severe visual impairment not corrected by glasses or corrective lenses.
  • Vestibular disorders causing balance impairment or acute dizziness.
  • Significant liver or renal impairment.
  • Uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions that limit exercise participation or present safety risks during physical activity.
  • Cognitive impairment preventing the ability to understand or follow exercise instructions.
  • Non-compliance or intervention dropouts (e.g., patients missing more than two weeks of sessions or voluntarily withdrawing from the study).

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Otago Exercise Group

Patients in this group will undergo the Otago Exercise Program, including balance and strength training exercises, 3 times per week for 8 weeks.
Behavioral: Otago Exercise Program

The Otago Exercise Program consists of individually tailored progressive muscle-strengthening exercises (targeting lower limbs) and balance retraining exercises. Participants will perform the exercises 3 times per week for a total duration of 8 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes under the direct supervision of a physical therapist.
Experimental: Sensorimotor Training Group

Patients in this group will undergo Sensorimotor Training focusing on progressive proprioceptive and dynamic balance exercises, 3 times per week for 8 weeks.
Behavioral: Sensorimotor Training

Sensorimotor Training involves progressive dynamic balance and proprioceptive exercises performed on various surfaces (such as stable floor, foam pads, and balance boards) with sensory progression (eyes open/closed). Participants will perform the exercises 3 times per week for a total duration of 8 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes under the direct supervision of a physical therapist.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest)
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention) and after 8 weeks of intervention (Post-intervention).

A 14-item clinical scale used to assess dynamic postural balance, functional mobility, and balance control across four domains (anticipatory, reactive postural control, sensory orientation, and dynamic gait). Total scores range from 0 to 28, where higher scores indicate better balance and lower fall risk.
Baseline (Pre-intervention) and after 8 weeks of intervention (Post-intervention).
Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I)
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention) and after 8 weeks of intervention (Post-intervention).

A 16-item questionnaire used to assess concern about falling during basic and complex daily activities. Scores range from 16 to 64, where higher scores reflect higher concern/fear of falling.
Baseline (Pre-intervention) and after 8 weeks of intervention (Post-intervention).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention.

Assessed via lab blood sample to monitor glycemic control.
Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention.

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)

Calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m^2) using a standardized weight and height scale, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.
Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)

Assessed via laboratory venous blood sample analysis to measure average glycemic control over the preceding 2 to 3 months and confirm type 2 diabetes baseline status.
Baseline (Pre-intervention)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Cairo University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 27, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 27, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 2, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 27, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • P.T.REC/012/006643

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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