Gait and Cognitive Function in Relation to Foot Arch Structure in Older Adults

May 7, 2026 updated by: Ebru Tekin, Balikesir University

Relationship Between Foot Arch Structure, Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

This study aims to investigate the relationship between foot arch structure and spatiotemporal gait parameters and cognitive function in older adults. Foot arch integrity will be assessed using the Navicular Drop Test, and gait performance will be evaluated using the 10-Meter Walk Test. Cognitive-motor interaction will be examined through lower extremity reaction time using a light-based system. The study is designed as an observational cross-sectional analysis.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study will include community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and above living in Balıkesir, Turkey. Participants will be recruited from individuals attending the Tazelenme University Coordination Unit and surrounding community settings. Eligible participants are those who are able to walk independently without assistive devices and have sufficient cognitive and physical capacity to complete the assessment protocol. The study population represents relatively healthy older adults without severe neurological or musculoskeletal conditions affecting gait and balance.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 65 years or older
  • Able to walk independently for at least 10 meters without assistive devices
  • Able to understand study procedures and provide informed consent
  • Having sufficient cognitive and physical capacity to comply with the assessment protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed neurological disorders affecting gait and motor control (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis)
  • Diagnosed dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score below 24
  • Severe visual or hearing impairment that cannot be corrected and may affect reaction time testing
  • History of major lower extremity or spinal surgery within the last 6 months Severe musculoskeletal conditions affecting gait (e.g., advanced osteoarthritis, severe pain, active inflammation, open wounds, or recent fractures in the lower extremity)
  • Presence of severe balance disorders (e.g., vertigo)

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

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Older adult
Community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and above will be assessed for foot arch structure, gait parameters, and cognitive-motor performance.
Other: Observational Assessment
This is an observational study with no intervention. Participants will undergo assessments of foot arch structure, gait parameters, and cognitive-motor performance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Gait Speed (m/s)
Time Frame: Baseline (single session)
Gait speed will be assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test under comfortable walking conditions. Walking speed will be recorded in meters per second (m/s).
Baseline (single session)
Cadence (steps/min)
Time Frame: Baseline (single session)
Cadence will be assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test under comfortable walking conditions. Cadence will be recorded as steps per minute.
Baseline (single session)
Step Length (m)
Time Frame: Baseline (single session)
Step length will be assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test under comfortable walking conditions. Step length will be recorded in meters.
Baseline (single session)
Double Support Time (%)
Time Frame: Baseline (single session)
Double support time will be assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test under comfortable walking conditions. Double support time will be recorded as a percentage of the gait cycle.
Baseline (single session)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Lower extremity reaction time
Time Frame: Baseline (single session)
Reaction time will be measured using a visual stimulus-based system (Light Trainer). The time between stimulus onset and foot contact response will be recorded in milliseconds. Multiple trials will be averaged to obtain the final value.
Baseline (single session)
Navicular Drop Test (mm)
Time Frame: Baseline (single session)
Medial longitudinal arch mobility will be assessed using the Navicular Drop Test. The vertical displacement of the navicular tuberosity from seated subtalar neutral position to standing position will be measured in millimeters.
Baseline (single session)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Balikesir University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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 (Actual)

April 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Actual)

April 28, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 8, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 7, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 12, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 7, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2026/50

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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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