As people age, changes in balance and memory can make daily life more difficult and increase the risk of falls. Falls are one of the main causes of injury, hospitalization and loss of independence in older adults, while even mild declines in memory and concentration can reduce confidence, social participation and overall quality of life. Therefore, safe, affordable, and practical ways to help older adults remain steady on their feet and mentally sharp are urgently needed. The aim of this project is therefore to conduct a pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial to examine whether regular home-based photobiomodulation can improve balance and cognitive function in adults aged over 60. If successful, this research could help shape future strategies for preventing falls, enhancing wellbeing and maintaining independence in older people.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
60
8-weeks photobiomodulation
The sham device will follow the same protocol but without active light emission.
University of Central Lancashire
Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom
RECRUITINGn-1-back (deviation)
The n-1-back (deviation) task is a working memory test where participants respond when the current stimulus differs from the one presented n-1 trials earlier.
Time frame: Baseline
n-1-back (deviation)
The n-1-back (deviation) task is a working memory test where participants respond when the current stimulus differs from the one presented n-1 trials earlier.
Time frame: 1 hour
n-1-back (deviation)
The n-1-back (deviation) task is a working memory test where participants respond when the current stimulus differs from the one presented n-1 trials earlier.
Time frame: 8-weeks
n-2-back (deviation)
The n-2-back (deviation) task is a working memory test where participants respond when the current stimulus differs from the one presented n-2 trials earlier.
Time frame: Baseline
n-2-back (deviation)
The n-2-back (deviation) task is a working memory test where participants respond when the current stimulus differs from the one presented n-2 trials earlier.
Time frame: 1 hour
n-2-back (deviation)
The n-2-back (deviation) task is a working memory test where participants respond when the current stimulus differs from the one presented n-2 trials earlier.
Time frame: 8-weeks
n-1-back (post-deviation)
The n-1-back (post-deviation) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a deviation from the stimulus presented n-1 trials earlier.
Time frame: Baseline
n-1-back (post-deviation)
The n-1-back (post-deviation) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a deviation from the stimulus presented n-1 trials earlier.
Time frame: 1 hour
n-1-back (post-deviation)
The n-1-back (post-deviation) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a deviation from the stimulus presented n-1 trials earlier.
Time frame: 8-weeks
n-2-back (post-deviation)
The n-2-back (post-deviation) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a deviation from the stimulus presented n-2 trials earlier.
Time frame: Baseline
n-2-back (post-deviation)
The n-2-back (post-deviation) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a deviation from the stimulus presented n-2 trials earlier.
Time frame: 1 hour
n-2-back (post-deviation)
The n-2-back (post-deviation) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a deviation from the stimulus presented n-2 trials earlier.
Time frame: 8-weeks
n-1-back (post-target)
The n-1-back (post-target) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a target that matched the stimulus presented n-1 trials earlier.
Time frame: Baseline
n-1-back (post-target)
The n-1-back (post-target) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a target that matched the stimulus presented n-1 trials earlier.
Time frame: 1 hour
n-1-back (post-target)
The n-1-back (post-target) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a target that matched the stimulus presented n-1 trials earlier.
Time frame: 8-weeks
n-2-back (post-target)
he n-2-back (post-target) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a target that matched the stimulus presented n-2 trials earlier.
Time frame: Baseline
n-2-back (post-target)
he n-2-back (post-target) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a target that matched the stimulus presented n-2 trials earlier.
Time frame: 1 hour
n-2-back (post-target)
he n-2-back (post-target) task assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a target that matched the stimulus presented n-2 trials earlier.
Time frame: 8-weeks
n-1-back (load)
The n-1-back (load) condition measures working memory performance under the cognitive demand of tracking stimuli 1 trial back.
Time frame: Baseline
n-1-back (load)
The n-1-back (load) condition measures working memory performance under the cognitive demand of tracking stimuli 1 trial back.
Time frame: 1 hour
n-1-back (load)
The n-1-back (load) condition measures working memory performance under the cognitive demand of tracking stimuli 1 trial back.
Time frame: 8-weeks
n-2-back (post-load)
The n-2-back (post-load) condition assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a high cognitive load in the n-2-back task.
Time frame: Baseline
n-2-back (post-load)
The n-2-back (post-load) condition assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a high cognitive load in the n-2-back task.
Time frame: 1 hour
n-2-back (post-load)
The n-2-back (post-load) condition assesses working memory performance on the trial immediately following a high cognitive load in the n-2-back task.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Coop-Wonka chart
The Coop-Wonka chart is a six item questionnaire with a 1-5 scoring system for each thus the chart has a maximum score of 30 which indicates the lowest possible psychological Wellbeing.
Time frame: Baseline
Coop-Wonka chart
The Coop-Wonka chart is a six item questionnaire with a 1-5 scoring system for each thus the chart has a maximum score of 30 which indicates the lowest possible psychological Wellbeing.
Time frame: 1 hour
Coop-Wonka chart
The Coop-Wonka chart is a six item questionnaire with a 1-5 scoring system for each thus the chart has a maximum score of 30 which indicates the lowest possible psychological Wellbeing.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Beck Depression Inventory
Psychological wellbeing - the Beck Depression Inventory is a 21 questionnaire with questions that range in scoring from 0-3, thus the maximum score is 63 which is the highest depression score possible.
Time frame: Baseline
Beck Depression Inventory
Psychological wellbeing - the Beck Depression Inventory is a 21 questionnaire with questions that range in scoring from 0-3, thus the maximum score is 63 which is the highest depression score possible.
Time frame: 1 hour
Beck Depression Inventory
Psychological wellbeing - the Beck Depression Inventory is a 21 questionnaire with questions that range in scoring from 0-3, thus the maximum score is 63 which is the highest depression score possible.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index, is a questionnaire that consists of 19 self-rated questions, grouped into 7 components. Each component is scored separately, weighted equally on a 0 - 3 scale and the scores of the 7 components are then added to give a global score, which has a range of 0 - 21 with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality.
Time frame: Baseline
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index, is a questionnaire that consists of 19 self-rated questions, grouped into 7 components. Each component is scored separately, weighted equally on a 0 - 3 scale and the scores of the 7 components are then added to give a global score, which has a range of 0 - 21 with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality.
Time frame: 1 hour
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index, is a questionnaire that consists of 19 self-rated questions, grouped into 7 components. Each component is scored separately, weighted equally on a 0 - 3 scale and the scores of the 7 components are then added to give a global score, which has a range of 0 - 21 with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality.
Time frame: 8-weeks
State Trait Anxiety Inventory
The state trait anxiety inventory is a 40 item questionnaire with each question having a 1-4 score system, thus the maximum score is 80 which indicates the highest level of anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline
State Trait Anxiety Inventory
The state trait anxiety inventory is a 40 item questionnaire with each question having a 1-4 score system, thus the maximum score is 80 which indicates the highest level of anxiety.
Time frame: 1 hour
State Trait Anxiety Inventory
The state trait anxiety inventory is a 40 item questionnaire with each question having a 1-4 score system, thus the maximum score is 80 which indicates the highest level of anxiety.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Insomnia Severity Index
The Insomnia Severity Index is a brief instrument designed to assess the severity of both nighttime and daytime components of insomnia. The Insomnia Severity Index is a 7-item self-report questionnaire yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28.
Time frame: Baseline
Insomnia Severity Index
The Insomnia Severity Index is a brief instrument designed to assess the severity of both nighttime and daytime components of insomnia. The Insomnia Severity Index is a 7-item self-report questionnaire yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28.
Time frame: 1 hour
Insomnia Severity Index
The Insomnia Severity Index is a brief instrument designed to assess the severity of both nighttime and daytime components of insomnia. The Insomnia Severity Index is a 7-item self-report questionnaire yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a self-administered questionnaire with 8 questions. Respondents are asked to rate, on a 4-point scale (0-3) with a maximum score of 24.
Time frame: Baseline
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a self-administered questionnaire with 8 questions. Respondents are asked to rate, on a 4-point scale (0-3) with a maximum score of 24.
Time frame: 1 hour
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a self-administered questionnaire with 8 questions. Respondents are asked to rate, on a 4-point scale (0-3) with a maximum score of 24.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Everyday Memory Errors Questionnaire
The Everyday Memory Errors Questionnaire is a brief self-report instrument designed to assess the frequency of memory lapses in daily life. It consists of multiple items that yield a total score reflecting the extent of everyday memory difficulties.
Time frame: Baseline
Everyday Memory Errors Questionnaire
The Everyday Memory Errors Questionnaire is a brief self-report instrument designed to assess the frequency of memory lapses in daily life. It consists of multiple items that yield a total score reflecting the extent of everyday memory difficulties.
Time frame: 1 hour
Everyday Memory Errors Questionnaire
The Everyday Memory Errors Questionnaire is a brief self-report instrument designed to assess the frequency of memory lapses in daily life. It consists of multiple items that yield a total score reflecting the extent of everyday memory difficulties.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Falls Efficacy
The Falls Efficacy Scale is a brief self-report instrument designed to assess confidence in performing daily activities without falling. It consists of multiple items that yield a total score reflecting fear of falling and perceived fall-related self-efficacy.
Time frame: Baseline
Falls Efficacy
The Falls Efficacy Scale is a brief self-report instrument designed to assess confidence in performing daily activities without falling. It consists of multiple items that yield a total score reflecting fear of falling and perceived fall-related self-efficacy.
Time frame: 1 hour
Falls Efficacy
The Falls Efficacy Scale is a brief self-report instrument designed to assess confidence in performing daily activities without falling. It consists of multiple items that yield a total score reflecting fear of falling and perceived fall-related self-efficacy.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Anterior-posterior balance
The maximum anterior-posterior displacement of the centre of pressure during a two-minute balance task.
Time frame: Baseline
Anterior-posterior balance
The maximum anterior-posterior displacement of the centre of pressure during a two-minute balance task.
Time frame: 1 hour
Anterior-posterior balance
The maximum anterior-posterior displacement of the centre of pressure during a two-minute balance task.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Medio-lateral balance
The maximum medio-lateral displacement of the centre of pressure during a two-minute balance task.
Time frame: Baseline
Medio-lateral balance
The maximum medio-lateral displacement of the centre of pressure during a two-minute balance task.
Time frame: 1 hour
Medio-lateral balance
The maximum medio-lateral displacement of the centre of pressure during a two-minute balance task.
Time frame: 8-weeks
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