This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of adding a brief visual stimulus-based cognitive-motor agility exercise component to a multicomponent exercise program in community-dwelling older adults. Participants were randomized to either an experimental group or an active control group. Both groups participated in supervised multicomponent exercise sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 45 minutes. During the final 10 minutes of each session, the experimental group performed the visual stimulus-based cognitive-motor agility exercises, whereas the active control group performed time-matched low-intensity activities. The primary outcome was global cognitive performance assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Secondary outcomes included hand and foot visual-motor response time, visual working memory, and functional performance.
This study was designed as an 8-week, parallel-group randomized controlled exercise intervention in community-dwelling older adults. The study aimed to determine whether adding a brief Light Trainer-assisted visual stimulus-based cognitive-motor agility exercise component to a multicomponent exercise program would provide additional benefits for cognitive, psychomotor, and functional performance. After completion of baseline assessments, eligible participants were randomized to either an experimental group or an active control group. Both groups participated in supervised exercise sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks, for a total of 16 sessions. Each session lasted 45 minutes. The first 35 minutes of each session consisted of the same multicomponent exercise program in both groups. This program included light-paced walking, mobility exercises, multidirectional stepping, balance tasks, agility exercise, coordination exercises, low-resistance strengthening exercises, and functional movement combinations. During the final 10 minutes of each session, participants in the experimental group completed visual stimulus-based cognitive-motor agility exercises using the Light Trainer system. These tasks required participants to perceive randomized visual stimuli, select an appropriate motor response, and respond as quickly and accurately as possible using hand or foot movements. The Light Trainer component included 13 repetitions of 30-second task intervals separated by 15-second rest periods. Task difficulty progressed across the 8-week intervention by increasing the number of modules from two to six and by increasing task complexity, stimulus randomness, movement direction changes, response speed requirements, and cognitive-motor demands. Participants in the active control group completed the same 35-minute multicomponent exercise program followed by a time-matched 10-minute low-intensity activity period. These activities included supervised stretching, mobility, agility, balance, or recovery exercises and did not include visual stimulus-based response tasks, rapid decision-making, reactive agility tasks, or Light Trainer-assisted exercises. Assessments were performed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention period. The primary outcome was global cognitive performance assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Secondary outcomes included hand and foot visual-motor response time, visual working memory performance time and accuracy, Ten-Step Test, 30-second Chair Stand Test, 30-second Arm Curl Test, and 8-Foot Up-and-Go Test. The study was conducted in community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older who were able to ambulate independently and follow basic exercise and testing instructions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
41
Participants completed a supervised 35-minute multicomponent exercise program twice weekly for 8 weeks. The program included light-paced walking, mobility exercises, multidirectional stepping, balance tasks, coordination exercises, low-resistance strengthening exercises, and functional movement combinations. This component was performed by both the experimental and active control groups.
The experimental group completed a 10-minute Light Trainer-assisted visual stimulus-based cognitive-motor agility exercise component during the final part of each supervised session. Tasks required participants to perceive randomized visual stimuli, select an appropriate motor response, and respond as quickly and accurately as possible using hand or foot movements. Each session included 13 repetitions of 30-second task intervals separated by 15-second rest periods. Task difficulty progressed across 8 weeks by increasing the number of modules from two to six and increasing task complexity.
The active control group completed a 10-minute time-matched low-intensity activity period during the final part of each supervised session. These activities included stretching, mobility, balance, or recovery exercises and did not include visual stimulus-based response tasks, rapid decision-making, reactive agility tasks, or Light Trainer-assisted exercises.
Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University
Çanakkale, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to assess global cognitive function. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance. Change from baseline to 8 weeks was evaluated. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to assess global cognitive function. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance. Change from baseline to 8 weeks was evaluated.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Hand Visual-Motor Response Time
Hand visual-motor response performance was assessed using the Light Trainer system. Participants responded to randomized visual stimuli by touching illuminated modules with either hand during a 30-second task. Fastest and mean response times were recorded in seconds. Shorter response times indicate better performance.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Foot Visual-Motor Response Time
Foot visual-motor response performance was assessed using the Light Trainer system. Participants responded to randomized visual stimuli by stepping on illuminated modules with either foot during a 30-second task. Fastest and mean response times were recorded in seconds. Shorter response times indicate better performance.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Visual Working Memory Performance Time
Visual working memory response time was assessed using the memory mode of the Light Trainer system. Participants memorized the color and position of illuminated modules and then identified the module corresponding to a target color. Fastest times were recorded in seconds, with shorter values indicating better visual working memory performance. Change from baseline to 8 weeks was evaluated.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Visual Working Memory Accuracy
Visual working memory accuracy was assessed using the memory mode of the Light Trainer system. Participants memorized the color and position of illuminated modules and then identified the module corresponding to a target color. Accuracy was expressed as the device-recorded percentage of correct responses across all trials and ranged from 0% to 100%, with higher values indicating better visual working memory performance. Change from baseline to 8 weeks was evaluated.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Ten-Step Test Time
Lower-extremity rapid stepping and agility performance were assessed using the Ten-Step Test. Participants completed 10 alternating stepping movements on a 10-cm step block as quickly as possible. Test duration was recorded in seconds. Shorter time indicates better performance.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Change in 30-Second Chair Stand Test Performance
Lower-body functional strength was assessed using the 30-second Chair Stand Test. Participants were instructed to stand up fully and sit down as many times as possible within 30 seconds. The total number of correctly completed repetitions was recorded. Higher repetition count indicates better performance.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in 30-Second Arm Curl Test Performance
Upper-body functional strength was assessed using the 30-second Arm Curl Test. Participants performed as many controlled elbow flexion-extension repetitions as possible within 30 seconds while seated. The test was performed separately for the right and left arms. Higher repetition count indicates better performance.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in 8-Foot Up-and-Go Test Time
Functional mobility, agility, and dynamic balance were assessed using the 8-Foot Up-and-Go Test. Participants rose from a chair, walked around a marker placed 2.44 meters away, returned to the chair, and sat down again. Test duration was recorded in seconds. Shorter time indicates better performance.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
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