Effect of Chronotype on Balance and Cognitive Function

Examining the Relationship Between Balance and Cognitive Functions Based on Chronotype

Balance is the ability of an individual to maintain posture against gravity and sustain stability during movement; it depends on the coordinated functioning of the proprioceptive, visual, and vestibular systems, as well as the central nervous system. Current studies show that movement control occurs not only through the motor system but also through the interaction of sensory-cognitive-motor components. Cognitive functions encompass processes such as attention, memory, visuospatial skills, and executive functions, with attention and visuospatial processing playing a particularly important role in balance control. The literature reports significant relationships between balance and cognitive functions, particularly noting that increased attention requirements in dual-tasking situations negatively impact balance performance. Furthermore, it has been shown that both balance performance and cognitive functions are affected by circadian rhythm and chronotype, with individuals exhibiting different performance levels at different times of the day. Despite this, studies examining the relationship between balance and cognitive functions appear to have insufficiently addressed the chronotype factor. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate how the relationship between balance and cognitive functions changes according to individuals' chronotypes.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Healhty

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Healty young people

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between 18-35 years old
• Not using any neuropsychiatric medication
• Not having undergone lower extremity surgery
• Having at least a bachelor's degree

Exclusion Criteria:

• A history of a neurological disease
• A history of a neuropsychiatric disease
• Individuals with an intermediate type according to the Horne-Ostberg questionnaire results

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Early type
Late type

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Chronotype	It will be assessed by survey (Horne Ostberg). The survey contains a total of 19 questions. Points will be added up based on participants' answers to obtain a score between 16 and 86. 16-30 will be considered evening type, and 70-86 will be considered morning type.	baseline - 2 weeks later

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
balance	It will be assessed with KoreBalance balance system. Users will be asked to keep their eyes open while maintaining a center of gravity on an electronic device. Results are presented as point scores.	baseline - 2 weeks later
Attention measurement	It will be assessed with stroop test. Individuals will be tested at a desk. They will first be asked to read only the text written in three different colors. Then they will be asked to read the colors of the text. The total score will be recorded in milliseconds.	baseline - 2 weeks later
Visuo-spatial attention	It will be assessed with Flanker task. Eriksen Flanker Task is a classic cognitive psychology test that measures selective attention and response inhibition. You are asked to identify the direction of a central target (e.g., an arrow) while ignoring distracting "flanker" arrows on either side, which can either point the same way (congruent) or opposite (incongruent). The total correct responses are kept.	baseline - 2 weeks later

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul Gedik University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 26, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 8, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 9, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 8, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: E-10840098-202.3.02-3738

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No