Healthy IndividualsNCT07909980
Impact Of Aerobic Exercise on Sleep Quality and Postural Control Interplay Among University Students
A study testing Aerobic exercise Training and Sleep hygiene education in people with Healthy Individuals, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of moderate-intensity aerobic treadmill exercise on sleep quality and postural control interplay among university students with poor sleep quality. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Individuals
- What is being tested?
- Aerobic exercise Training and Sleep hygiene education
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 66 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 30 Oct 2026to 30 Dec 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 18 to 25 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Both male and female university students aged 18-25 years.
- Low level of physical activity as defined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
- Poor sleep quality as defined by a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score > 5.
- Able to perform aerobic exercise safely, as confirmed by a health screening questionnaire.
- Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- History of vestibular, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders affecting balance.
- Cardiovascular or respiratory conditions limiting aerobic exercise performance.
- Recent musculoskeletal or neurological lower limb injury within the last 6 months.
- Current use of sleep medications or participation in another structured exercise program.
- Currently diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep disorder.
- Participation in a structured exercise program within the past 3 months.
- Current substance abuse.
- History of brain injury or visual impairment that affects balance.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Egypt1 site
October University for modern sciences and arts
Giza
Waad Atef Ahmed Atia, Bachelor's degree, +201094924064, waatia@msa.edu.eg
About this study
Official title: Impact of Aerobic Exercise on Sleep Quality and Postural Control Interplay Among University Students
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of moderate-intensity aerobic treadmill exercise on sleep quality and postural control interplay among university students with poor sleep quality. Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in university populations and can lead to impaired balance and increased postural sway. While aerobic exercise is known to enhance sleep quality, its combined effect on objective postural control measures remains understudied in this group.
Sixty-six university students (aged 18-25 years) with self-reported poor sleep quality will be randomly allocated into two equal groups: an intervention group (aerobic exercise training plus sleep hygiene education) and a control group (sleep hygiene education only). Primary and secondary outcomes include sleep quality, objective balance indices, dynamic balance, insomnia severity, anxiety levels, and mindfulness assessed pre- and post-intervention at 6 weeks.
Read the detailed description
This study investigates the reciprocal relationship and interplay between sleep quality and postural control among young adults, evaluating how a structured moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention impacts both primary outcomes. Participants meeting the eligibility criteria are randomized into two parallel groups: an experimental group receiving a 6-week treadmill exercise intervention combined with sleep hygiene education, and a control group receiving sleep hygiene education alone.
The exercise program consists of treadmill walking/jogging performed 3 sessions per week for 6 consecutive weeks. Each session lasts 40 minutes and comprises a 5-minute low-speed warm-up, 30 minutes of continuous moderate-intensity exercise calibrated to 60-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), and a 5-minute cool-down. Exercise heart rates are continuously monitored to ensure adherence to target intensity ranges. The standardized sleep hygiene education includes advice on regular sleep schedules, optimal sleep environment, and restriction of stimulant intake before sleep. Baseline and post-intervention evaluations assess sleep architecture, postural stability metrics, day-time sleepiness, anxiety levels, and sleepiness-related mindfulness to determine the potential therapeutic synergistic effects of aerobic exercise on the sleep-balance relationship.
- Conditions
- Healthy Individuals
- Being tested
- Aerobic exercise Training, Sleep hygiene education
- Keywords
- Sleep Quality, Aerobic Exercise, Postural Control, Balance, Sleep Disorders, University Student
- Medical subject headings
- Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Sleep Wake Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Aerobic exercise TrainingBehavioural
Participants in intervention group will undertake a 6-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program performed on a motorized treadmill for 3 sessions per week. Each session lasts 40 minutes, consisting of a 5-minute warm-up (low-speed walking), 30 minutes of continuous walking/jogging at 60-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), and a 5-minute cool-down.
Sleep hygiene educationBehavioural
A standardized sleep hygiene education program consisting of a 15-30 minute instructional session (verbal explanation and printed brochure) covering healthy sleep practices and environment adjustments. Participants will maintain their usual daily activities for 6 weeks with weekly compliance monitoring.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group (n = 33) | Active comparator | 33 participants in this group will receive sleep Hygiene Education Only • Standardized sleep hygiene education session (15-30 mins). • Weekly adherence checklist monitoring while maintaining usual daily activities. Receives: Behavioral: Sleep hygiene education |
| Intervention Group (n = 33) | Experimental | Aerobic exercise training on treadmill (3 sessions/week for 6 weeks) combined with sleep hygiene education Receives: Behavioral: Aerobic exercise Training; Behavioral: Sleep hygiene education |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sleep Quality (PSQI Global Score)
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Global Score (scale range: 0 to 21, where lower scores indicate better sleep quality).
Measured: Baseline (Pre-intervention) and Post-intervention (Week 6)
Secondary outcomes (6)
Overall Stability Index (OSI)
Overall Stability Index (OSI) measured using the Biodex Balance System (scale range: 0 to higher values, where higher scores indicate greater postural instability and worse outcome)
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)
Assesses the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia symptoms over the past two weeks using a 7-item self-report questionnaire, with total scores ranging from 0 to 28 (where higher scores indicate greater insomnia severity and worse outcome).
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Generalized Anxiety Symptoms (GAD-7)
Measures the severity of generalized anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks using a 7-item scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 21 (where higher scores indicate greater anxiety severity and worse outcome).
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)
Measures the general tendency to be attentive to and aware of present-moment experiences in daily life using the 15-item Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, with total scores ranging from 15 to 105 (where higher scores indicate greater mindfulness and better outcome).
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Anterior-Posterior Stability Index (APSI)
Anterior-Posterior Stability Index (APSI) measured using the Biodex Balance System (scale range: 0 to higher values, where higher scores indicate greater instability and worse outcome
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Medial-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI)
Medial-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI) measured using the Biodex Balance System (scale range: 0 to higher values, where higher scores indicate greater instability and worse outcome)
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Nov 2026
- Study start30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy IndividualsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Two parallel groups: an intervention group receiving aerobic exercise and sleep hygiene education and a control group receiving sleep hygiene education
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- October University for Modern Sciences and Arts
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Waad Atef Ahmed Atia, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Ebtesam Nabil Abdelmohsen, Assistant Professor, Principal investigator, Cairo UniversityMohamad Abdelfatah Sakr, Associate Professor of Neurolo, Principal investigator, Faculty of Medicine, Misr University for Science and TechnologySandra Aziz Guirguis, Lecturer, Principal investigator, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07909980
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- R.T.REC/012/006245
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Nov 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 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impact of Aerobic Exercise on Sleep Quality and Postural Control Interplay Among University Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07909980
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- R.T.REC/012/006245
- Conditions
- Healthy Individuals
- Keywords
- Sleep Quality, Aerobic Exercise, Postural Control, Balance, Sleep Disorders, University Student
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- October University for Modern Sciences and Arts
- Study start
- 30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Nov 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.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of moderate-intensity aerobic treadmill exercise on sleep quality and postural control interplay among university students with poor sleep quality. Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in university populations and can lead to impaired balance and increased postural sway. While aerobic exercise is known to enhance sleep quality, its combined effect on objective postural control measures remains understudied in this group.
Sixty-six university students (aged 18-25 years) with self-reported poor sleep quality will be randomly allocated into two equal groups: an intervention group (aerobic exercise training plus sleep hygiene education) and a control group (sleep hygiene education only). Primary and secondary outcomes include sleep quality, objective balance indices, dynamic balance, insomnia severity, anxiety levels, and mindfulness assessed pre- and post-intervention at 6 weeks.
Detailed description
This study investigates the reciprocal relationship and interplay between sleep quality and postural control among young adults, evaluating how a structured moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention impacts both primary outcomes. Participants meeting the eligibility criteria are randomized into two parallel groups: an experimental group receiving a 6-week treadmill exercise intervention combined with sleep hygiene education, and a control group receiving sleep hygiene education alone.
The exercise program consists of treadmill walking/jogging performed 3 sessions per week for 6 consecutive weeks. Each session lasts 40 minutes and comprises a 5-minute low-speed warm-up, 30 minutes of continuous moderate-intensity exercise calibrated to 60-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), and a 5-minute cool-down. Exercise heart rates are continuously monitored to ensure adherence to target intensity ranges. The standardized sleep hygiene education includes advice on regular sleep schedules, optimal sleep environment, and restriction of stimulant intake before sleep. Baseline and post-intervention evaluations assess sleep architecture, postural stability metrics, day-time sleepiness, anxiety levels, and sleepiness-related mindfulness to determine the potential therapeutic synergistic effects of aerobic exercise on the sleep-balance relationship.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Two parallel groups: an intervention group receiving aerobic exercise and sleep hygiene education and a control group receiving sleep hygiene education
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group (n = 33) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Sleep hygiene education33 participants in this group will receive sleep Hygiene Education Only • Standardized sleep hygiene education session (15-30 mins). • Weekly adherence checklist monitoring while maintaining usual daily activities. |
| Intervention Group (n = 33) | Experimental | Behavioral: Aerobic exercise Training, Behavioral: Sleep hygiene educationAerobic exercise training on treadmill (3 sessions/week for 6 weeks) combined with sleep hygiene education |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Both male and female university students aged 18-25 years.
- Low level of physical activity as defined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
- Poor sleep quality as defined by a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score > 5.
- Able to perform aerobic exercise safely, as confirmed by a health screening questionnaire.
- Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- History of vestibular, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders affecting balance.
- Cardiovascular or respiratory conditions limiting aerobic exercise performance.
- Recent musculoskeletal or neurological lower limb injury within the last 6 months.
- Current use of sleep medications or participation in another structured exercise program.
- Currently diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep disorder.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic exercise TrainingParticipants in intervention group will undertake a 6-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program performed on a motorized treadmill for 3 sessions per week. Each session lasts 40 minutes, consisting of a 5-minute warm-up (low-speed walking), 30 minutes of continuous walking/jogging at 60-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), and a 5-minute cool-down. | Behavioural | Intervention Group (n = 33) |
| Sleep hygiene educationA standardized sleep hygiene education program consisting of a 15-30 minute instructional session (verbal explanation and printed brochure) covering healthy sleep practices and environment adjustments. Participants will maintain their usual daily activities for 6 weeks with weekly compliance monitoring. | Behavioural | Control Group (n = 33), Intervention Group (n = 33) |
Primary outcome
Sleep Quality (PSQI Global Score)
Time frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention) and Post-intervention (Week 6)
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Global Score (scale range: 0 to 21, where lower scores indicate better sleep quality).
6 secondary outcomes
Overall Stability Index (OSI)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Generalized Anxiety Symptoms (GAD-7)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Anterior-Posterior Stability Index (APSI)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
Medial-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (at 6 weeks)
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 Nov 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.
Ebtesam Nabil Abdelmohsen, Assistant Professor principal investigator
Cairo University
Mohamad Abdelfatah Sakr, Associate Professor of Neurolo principal investigator
Faculty of Medicine, Misr University for Science and Technology
Sandra Aziz Guirguis, Lecturer principal investigator
Cairo 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 Aerobic exercise Training and Sleep hygiene education in people with Healthy Individuals, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 5 inclusion and 8 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Nov 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 Egypt. 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 Waad Atef Ahmed Atia, Bachelor's degree (+201094924064, waatia@msa.edu.eg), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Sleep Quality (PSQI Global Score) (time frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention) and Post-intervention (Week 6)). 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 Nov 2026.