Community-Dwelling Older AdultsNCT07315724
The Efficacy of a Technology-Assisted Block Training Program on Cognitive Function, Hand Dexterity, and Grip Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Research
A study testing Technology-Assisted Block Training Program in people with Community-Dwelling Older Adults and Aging, run by National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial summary
Block-building activities represent a promising tool for enhancing cognitive and hand function in older adults. When integrated with technological support, they offer personalized training advantages; however, their comprehensive effectiveness requires empirical validation. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Aging, Cognitive Decline
- What is being tested?
- Technology-Assisted Block Training Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 28 Mar 2025to 27 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 65 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 65 and older
- Mentally alert and able to communicate
- Willing to participate in this study
Who cannot join
- Diagnosed with dementia by a physician
- Severe sensory or communication impairment
- Hand function impairment that prevents manipulation of building blocks
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Taiwan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Xindong Community Activity Center, Yilan City
Yilan, Taiwan, 260
About this study
Block-building activities represent a promising tool for enhancing cognitive and hand function in older adults. When integrated with technological support, they offer personalized training advantages; however, their comprehensive effectiveness requires empirical validation. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a "Technology-Assisted Block Training Program" to explore its effects on cognitive function, hand grip strength, dexterity, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults, while examining participants' subjective experiences.
Read the detailed description
In response to the aging population trend, developing evidence-based care programs for older adults has become increasingly necessary. To delay functional decline in individuals, intervention programs that combine cognitive and motor training are gaining greater attention. Manual activities such as block-building can effectively improve working memory and processing abilities. However, traditional block training and cognitive training often struggle to maintain participants' motivation and sustained engagement due to monotonous content. Therefore, technology-assisted block training has emerged as a solution, providing real-time feedback, personalized difficulty adjustment, and multi-sensory stimulation to effectively overcome the limitations of traditional training approaches and enhance participant motivation.
- Conditions
- Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Aging, Cognitive Decline, Hand Dexterity, Muscle Strength
- Being tested
- Technology-Assisted Block Training Program
- Keywords
- Technology-assisted block training program, Block-building activities, Cognitive function, Hand dexterity, Grip strength, Older adults, Mental rotation, Mixed-methods research, Spatial cognition, Quality of life
- Medical subject headings
- Cognitive Dysfunction
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Technology-Assisted Block Training ProgramBehavioural
This study, drawing on the theories proposed by Aguilar Ramirez et al. (2022) and Shepard and Metzler (1971), developed a mental rotation application and a corresponding block-building lesson plan. Participants then engaged in individual block-building activities, guided by the lesson plan, to train their spatial reasoning skills. Finally, the developed APP was used for mental rotation training, and its suitability and feasibility were rigorously validated through expert review and a pilot study. a. Mental Rotation Virtual Reality APP: The APP's content was validated by interdisciplinary experts (including gerontology, activity planning, cognitive training, and information technology) to ensure its appropriateness and feasibility. The APP incorporates technology-assisted elements, such as real-time feedback and personalized difficulty adjustment for the mental rotation exercises, to enhance training effectiveness and participant motivation. Furthermore, the built-in "Creative Showcase"
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| single group | Experimental | This intervention arm involves a weekly 2-hour building block course that incorporates mental rotation training components. Participants will engage in structured building block activities designed to enhance spatial reasoning abilities, with specific lesson plans focused on developing mental rotation skills through hands-on construction and manipulation of three-dimensional objects. Receives: Behavioral: Technology-Assisted Block Training Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Description:
The MoCA is a 30-point cognitive screening tool with established reliability in older adults. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function.
Unit of Measure:
Points on a 30-point scale
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, pre-intervention
Spatial Cognition - Mental Rotation Test
Description:
The Mental Rotation Test assesses spatial cognition. Higher numbers of correct responses indicate better mental rotation ability.
Unit of Measure:
Number of correct responses
Measured: Baseline , pre-intervention
Hand Grip Strength - Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer
Description:
Grip strength of each hand is measured using the Jamar dynamometer. Three trials per hand will be averaged. Higher values indicate greater grip strength.
Unit of Measure:
Kilograms (kg)
Measured: Baseline ,pre-intervention
Hand Dexterity - Purdue Pegboard Test
Description:
The Purdue Pegboard Test assesses fine motor skills and dexterity of the hands and fingers. The score reflects the number of pegs correctly placed in the allotted time.
Unit of Measure:
Number of pegs placed
Measured: Baseline ,pre-intervention
Well-Being - WHO-5 Well-Being Index
Description:
The WHO-5 consists of five items rated on a 25-point scale. Higher scores indicate better well-being and quality of life.
Unit of Measure:
Points on a 25-point scale
Measured: Baseline , pre-intervention
System Usability - System Usability Scale (SUS)
Description:
The SUS assesses usability, learnability, and satisfaction with technology-based systems. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate better usability.
Unit of Measure:
Score on a 0-100 scale
Measured: Baseline , pre-intervention
Secondary outcomes (6)
Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Description:
The MoCA is a 30-point cognitive screening tool with established reliability in older adults. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function.
Unit of Measure:
Points on a 30-point scale
Measured: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Spatial Cognition - Mental Rotation Test
Description:
The Mental Rotation Test assesses spatial cognition. Higher numbers of correct responses indicate better mental rotation ability.
Unit of Measure:
Number of correct responses
Measured: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Hand Grip Strength - Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer
Description:
Grip strength of each hand is measured using the Jamar dynamometer. Three trials per hand will be averaged. Higher values indicate greater grip strength.
Unit of Measure:
Kilograms (kg)
Measured: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Hand Dexterity - Purdue Pegboard Test
Description:
The Purdue Pegboard Test assesses fine motor skills and dexterity of the hands and fingers. The score reflects the number of pegs correctly placed in the allotted time.
Unit of Measure:
Number of pegs placed
Measured: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Well-Being - WHO-5 Well-Being Index
Description:
The WHO-5 consists of five items rated on a 25-point scale. Higher scores indicate better well-being and quality of life.
Unit of Measure:
Points on a 25-point scale
Measured: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
System Usability - System Usability Scale (SUS)
Description:
The SUS assesses usability, learnability, and satisfaction with technology-based systems. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate better usability.
Unit of Measure:
Score on a 0-100 scale
Measured: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jan 2026
- Study start28 Mar 2025
- Primary completion27 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion27 Mar 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Community-Dwelling Older AdultsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- Single Group, pre-post test
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Chia Jung Hsieh, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07315724
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FJU-IRB NO:C113099
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 16 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 2 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Efficacy of a Technology-Assisted Block Training Program on Cognitive Function, Hand Dexterity, and Grip Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Research
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07315724
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FJU-IRB NO:C113099
- Conditions
- Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Aging, Cognitive Decline, Hand Dexterity, Muscle Strength
- Keywords
- Technology-assisted block training program, Block-building activities, Cognitive function, Hand dexterity, Grip strength, Older adults, Mental rotation, Mixed-methods research
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 28 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 27 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 27 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Block-building activities represent a promising tool for enhancing cognitive and hand function in older adults. When integrated with technological support, they offer personalized training advantages; however, their comprehensive effectiveness requires empirical validation. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a "Technology-Assisted Block Training Program" to explore its effects on cognitive function, hand grip strength, dexterity, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults, while examining participants' subjective experiences.
Detailed description
In response to the aging population trend, developing evidence-based care programs for older adults has become increasingly necessary. To delay functional decline in individuals, intervention programs that combine cognitive and motor training are gaining greater attention. Manual activities such as block-building can effectively improve working memory and processing abilities. However, traditional block training and cognitive training often struggle to maintain participants' motivation and sustained engagement due to monotonous content. Therefore, technology-assisted block training has emerged as a solution, providing real-time feedback, personalized difficulty adjustment, and multi-sensory stimulation to effectively overcome the limitations of traditional training approaches and enhance participant motivation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- Single Group, pre-post test
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| single group | Experimental | Behavioral: Technology-Assisted Block Training ProgramThis intervention arm involves a weekly 2-hour building block course that incorporates mental rotation training components. Participants will engage in structured building block activities designed to enhance spatial reasoning abilities, with specific lesson plans focused on developing mental rotation skills through hands-on construction and manipulation of three-dimensional objects. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Adults aged 65 and older
- Mentally alert and able to communicate
- Willing to participate in this study
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Diagnosed with dementia by a physician
- Severe sensory or communication impairment
- Hand function impairment that prevents manipulation of building blocks
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Technology-Assisted Block Training ProgramThis study, drawing on the theories proposed by Aguilar Ramirez et al. (2022) and Shepard and Metzler (1971), developed a mental rotation application and a corresponding block-building lesson plan. Participants then engaged in individual block-building activities, guided by the lesson plan, to train their spatial reasoning skills. Finally, the developed APP was used for mental rotation training, and its suitability and feasibility were rigorously validated through expert review and a pilot study. a. Mental Rotation Virtual Reality APP: The APP's content was validated by interdisciplinary experts (including gerontology, activity planning, cognitive training, and information technology) to ensure its appropriateness and feasibility. The APP incorporates technology-assisted elements, such as real-time feedback and personalized difficulty adjustment for the mental rotation exercises, to enhance training effectiveness and participant motivation. Furthermore, the built-in "Creative Showcase" | Behavioural | single group |
Primary outcome
Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, pre-intervention
Description: The MoCA is a 30-point cognitive screening tool with established reliability in older adults. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function. Unit of Measure: Points on a 30-point scale
Spatial Cognition - Mental Rotation Test
Time frame: Baseline , pre-intervention
Description: The Mental Rotation Test assesses spatial cognition. Higher numbers of correct responses indicate better mental rotation ability. Unit of Measure: Number of correct responses
Hand Grip Strength - Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer
Time frame: Baseline ,pre-intervention
Description: Grip strength of each hand is measured using the Jamar dynamometer. Three trials per hand will be averaged. Higher values indicate greater grip strength. Unit of Measure: Kilograms (kg)
Hand Dexterity - Purdue Pegboard Test
Time frame: Baseline ,pre-intervention
Description: The Purdue Pegboard Test assesses fine motor skills and dexterity of the hands and fingers. The score reflects the number of pegs correctly placed in the allotted time. Unit of Measure: Number of pegs placed
Well-Being - WHO-5 Well-Being Index
Time frame: Baseline , pre-intervention
Description: The WHO-5 consists of five items rated on a 25-point scale. Higher scores indicate better well-being and quality of life. Unit of Measure: Points on a 25-point scale
System Usability - System Usability Scale (SUS)
Time frame: Baseline , pre-intervention
Description: The SUS assesses usability, learnability, and satisfaction with technology-based systems. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate better usability. Unit of Measure: Score on a 0-100 scale
6 secondary outcomes
Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Spatial Cognition - Mental Rotation Test
Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Hand Grip Strength - Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer
Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Hand Dexterity - Purdue Pegboard Test
Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Well-Being - WHO-5 Well-Being Index
Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
System Usability - System Usability Scale (SUS)
Time frame: Immediately After the 4-week Intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Technology-Assisted Block Training Program in people with Community-Dwelling Older Adults and Aging, run by National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences at 1 site in Taiwan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Taiwan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Chia-Jung Hsieh Professor, PhD (886(2)2822-7101 ext. Ext. 3135, chiajung@ntunhs.edu.tw), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, pre-intervention). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Jan 2026.