Brain FogNCT07396779
Cognitive Task-Based Walking Effects on Cognition, Mood, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Brain Fog
A study testing Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise and Walking-Only Exercise in people with Brain Fog and Cognitive Impairment, run by Medipol University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of cognitive task-based walking exercise on cognitive function, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in older adults experiencing brain fog. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Brain Fog, Cognitive Impairment, Geriatric Population
- What is being tested?
- Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise and Walking-Only Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 22 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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
- Aged 65 years or older
- Self-reported experience of brain fog symptoms (e.g., reduced attention, concentration, or -mental clarity) for at least the past 4 weeks
- Moderate or higher brain fog severity as determined by the Turkish version of the Brain Fog Scale
- Preserved global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score ≥20)
- Ability to walk independently, with or without an assistive device
- Ability to communicate verbally and follow instructions
- No changes in medication and no acute illness within the past 4 weeks
- Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Diagnosed neurodegenerative or neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, stroke, or other major neurological conditions)
- Severe psychiatric disorders
- Medical contraindications to physical exercise
- Severe visual or hearing impairments interfering with assessment or exercise participation
- Inability to adhere to or complete the study procedures and exercise program
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise on Cognitive Function, Depression, Sleep Quality, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Brain Fog: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of cognitive task-based walking exercise on cognitive function, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in older adults experiencing brain fog. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a cognitive task-based walking exercise group or a walking-only exercise group. The intervention will be conducted under physiotherapist supervision, three times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period to compare the effectiveness of the two exercise approaches.
Read the detailed description
This study is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of cognitive task-based walking exercise on cognitive function, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life in older adults experiencing brain fog. The study will be conducted between November 2025 and May 2026 at the Geriatrics Outpatient Clinic of Istanbul Medipol Mega Hospital.
Participants aged 65 years and older who report a subjective decline in attention, concentration, or mental clarity for at least four weeks and who demonstrate moderate or greater brain fog symptoms according to the Turkish version of the Brain Fog Scale will be eligible for inclusion. Only individuals with preserved global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score ≥20) and the ability to walk independently, with or without an assistive device, will be enrolled. Individuals with diagnosed neurological disorders, severe psychiatric conditions, or medical problems that limit physical activity will be excluded.
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned, using a computer-generated randomization sequence, to one of two groups: (1) a cognitive task-based walking exercise group or (2) a walking-only exercise group. Both groups will participate in supervised, low-intensity walking exercise sessions three times per week for four weeks. Exercise intensity and progression will be individualized according to each participant's physical capacity and balance status.
Each exercise session will include a warm-up phase, a main walking phase, and a cool-down phase. Participants in the cognitive task-based walking exercise group will be required to perform concurrent cognitive tasks during walking, including forward and backward counting, verbal fluency tasks, and sequencing of days of the week and months of the year, targeting attention, memory, and executive functions. The walking-only exercise group will follow the same walking protocol without the addition of cognitive tasks.
Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline and after the four-week intervention period. Primary and secondary outcomes will include brain fog severity, cognitive function, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life. All assessments will be performed by independent outcome assessors who are blinded to group allocation.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of integrating cognitive tasks into walking exercise programs and to support holistic rehabilitation strategies in older adults with brain fog.
- Conditions
- Brain Fog, Cognitive Impairment, Geriatric Population
- Being tested
- Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise, Walking-Only Exercise
- Keywords
- Brain Fog, Cognitive Task-Based Exercise, Walking Exercise, Cognitive Function, Sleep Quality, Quality of Life
- Medical subject headings
- Mental Fatigue, Cognitive Dysfunction, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cognitive Task-Based Walking ExerciseOther
Participants will perform supervised low-intensity walking exercises combined with concurrent cognitive tasks targeting attention, memory, and executive functions, three times per week for four weeks. Each session will last 35 minutes, including a 5-minute warm-up, a 25-minute main walking phase, and a 5-minute cool-down.
Walking-Only ExerciseOther
Participants will perform supervised low-intensity walking exercises without concurrent cognitive tasks, three times per week for four weeks. Each session will last 35 minutes, including a 5-minute warm-up, a 25-minute main walking phase, and a 5-minute cool-down.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise | Experimental | Participants will perform low-intensity walking exercises combined with concurrent cognitive tasks under physiotherapist supervision, three times per week for four weeks. Receives: Other: Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise |
| Walking-Only Exercise | Active comparator | Participants will perform the same low-intensity walking exercise protocol without cognitive tasks, under physiotherapist supervision, three times per week for four weeks. Receives: Other: Walking-Only Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Cognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), which evaluates multiple cognitive domains including attention, memory, executive functions, language, and orientation. Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Brain Fog Scale
Brain fog severity will be assessed using the Turkish version of the Brain Fog Scale, a self-reported questionnaire evaluating cognitive, physical, and psychological symptoms. Higher scores indicate greater severity of brain fog symptoms.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Geriatric Depression Scale
Depressive symptoms will be evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), a self-reported questionnaire designed to assess depressive symptoms in older adults. Higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which measures subjective sleep quality and sleep disturbances over the previous month. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module
Quality of life will be assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module (WHOQOL-OLD). Higher scores indicate better perceived quality of life.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026
- Primary completion22 Apr 2026
- Study completion22 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Brain FogStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive task-based walking exercise with walking-only exercise in older adults with brain fog. Participants will undergo supervised low-intensity walking exercises three times per week for four weeks. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and post-intervention to determine the effects on cognitive function, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Medipol University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Emre DANSUK, Medipol University
- Investigators
- Emre Dansuk, PhD, Principal investigator, Medipol University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07396779
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-10840098-202.3.02-7890
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in this study will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author for scientifically sound research purposes. Data will be shared after approval of the proposed use and execution of an appropriate data sharing agreement, in accordance with institutional policies and applicable ethical requirements.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise on Cognitive Function, Depression, Sleep Quality, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Brain Fog: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07396779
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E-10840098-202.3.02-7890
- Conditions
- Brain Fog, Cognitive Impairment, Geriatric Population
- Keywords
- Brain Fog, Cognitive Task-Based Exercise, Walking Exercise, Cognitive Function, Sleep Quality, Quality of Life
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Medipol UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 22 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 22 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Feb 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.
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of cognitive task-based walking exercise on cognitive function, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in older adults experiencing brain fog. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a cognitive task-based walking exercise group or a walking-only exercise group. The intervention will be conducted under physiotherapist supervision, three times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period to compare the effectiveness of the two exercise approaches.
Detailed description
This study is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of cognitive task-based walking exercise on cognitive function, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life in older adults experiencing brain fog. The study will be conducted between November 2025 and May 2026 at the Geriatrics Outpatient Clinic of Istanbul Medipol Mega Hospital.
Participants aged 65 years and older who report a subjective decline in attention, concentration, or mental clarity for at least four weeks and who demonstrate moderate or greater brain fog symptoms according to the Turkish version of the Brain Fog Scale will be eligible for inclusion. Only individuals with preserved global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score ≥20) and the ability to walk independently, with or without an assistive device, will be enrolled. Individuals with diagnosed neurological disorders, severe psychiatric conditions, or medical problems that limit physical activity will be excluded.
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned, using a computer-generated randomization sequence, to one of two groups: (1) a cognitive task-based walking exercise group or (2) a walking-only exercise group. Both groups will participate in supervised, low-intensity walking exercise sessions three times per week for four weeks. Exercise intensity and progression will be individualized according to each participant's physical capacity and balance status.
Each exercise session will include a warm-up phase, a main walking phase, and a cool-down phase. Participants in the cognitive task-based walking exercise group will be required to perform concurrent cognitive tasks during walking, including forward and backward counting, verbal fluency tasks, and sequencing of days of the week and months of the year, targeting attention, memory, and executive functions. The walking-only exercise group will follow the same walking protocol without the addition of cognitive tasks.
Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline and after the four-week intervention period. Primary and secondary outcomes will include brain fog severity, cognitive function, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life. All assessments will be performed by independent outcome assessors who are blinded to group allocation.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of integrating cognitive tasks into walking exercise programs and to support holistic rehabilitation strategies in older adults with brain fog.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This study is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive task-based walking exercise with walking-only exercise in older adults with brain fog. Participants will undergo supervised low-intensity walking exercises three times per week for four weeks. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and post-intervention to determine the effects on cognitive function, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise | Experimental | Other: Cognitive Task-Based Walking ExerciseParticipants will perform low-intensity walking exercises combined with concurrent cognitive tasks under physiotherapist supervision, three times per week for four weeks. |
| Walking-Only Exercise | Active comparator | Other: Walking-Only ExerciseParticipants will perform the same low-intensity walking exercise protocol without cognitive tasks, under physiotherapist supervision, three times per week for four weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Aged 65 years or older
- Self-reported experience of brain fog symptoms (e.g., reduced attention, concentration, or -mental clarity) for at least the past 4 weeks
- Moderate or higher brain fog severity as determined by the Turkish version of the Brain Fog Scale
- Preserved global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score ≥20)
- Ability to walk independently, with or without an assistive device
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Diagnosed neurodegenerative or neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, stroke, or other major neurological conditions)
- Severe psychiatric disorders
- Medical contraindications to physical exercise
- Severe visual or hearing impairments interfering with assessment or exercise participation
- Inability to adhere to or complete the study procedures and exercise program
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Task-Based Walking ExerciseParticipants will perform supervised low-intensity walking exercises combined with concurrent cognitive tasks targeting attention, memory, and executive functions, three times per week for four weeks. Each session will last 35 minutes, including a 5-minute warm-up, a 25-minute main walking phase, and a 5-minute cool-down. | Other | Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise |
| Walking-Only ExerciseParticipants will perform supervised low-intensity walking exercises without concurrent cognitive tasks, three times per week for four weeks. Each session will last 35 minutes, including a 5-minute warm-up, a 25-minute main walking phase, and a 5-minute cool-down. | Other | Walking-Only Exercise |
Primary outcome
Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Cognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), which evaluates multiple cognitive domains including attention, memory, executive functions, language, and orientation. Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance.
4 secondary outcomes
Brain Fog Scale
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Geriatric Depression Scale
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in this study will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author for scientifically sound research purposes. Data will be shared after approval of the proposed use and execution of an appropriate data sharing agreement, in accordance with institutional policies and applicable ethical requirements.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Emre Dansuk, PhD principal investigator
Medipol University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Cognitive Task-Based Walking Exercise and Walking-Only Exercise in people with Brain Fog and Cognitive Impairment, run by Medipol University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 8 inclusion and 5 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jul 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks). 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 7 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 27 Oct 2026.