Virtual Assistant for Exercise Adherence in Older ADULTS
Application of a Virtual Assistant to Enhance Exercise Adherence in Older Adults
University of Valencia
70 participants
Feb 1, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual assistant-guided exercise program to improve adherence in older adults. In a nonrandomized controlled clinical trial, the experimental group will complete a 12-week, home-based program (60-minute sessions, 3 times per week) supported by a virtual assistant (BOT). The control group will comprise community-dwelling older adults already engaged in the municipal program Enguera se saludable, which delivers an in-person exercise program of comparable frequency and duration. The primary outcome is exercise adherence, defined as the proportion of prescribed sessions completed. Secondary outcomes include muscle strength, balance, functional capacity, health-related quality of life, and the user experience and usability of the virtual assistant.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Adults aged 60 years or older.
- Community-dwelling individuals capable of participating in an exercise program.
- Ability to complete 60-minute exercise sessions, three times per week during the 12-week intervention.
- Experimental group (BOT Group): Participants willing to use a smartphone/tablet and interact with the virtual assistant.
- Control group (Municipal Exercise Group): Individuals already enrolled in the municipal program Enguera se saludable.
- Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria7
- Medical contraindications to physical exercise, as determined by clinical judgment (e.g., uncontrolled cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic conditions).
- Severe cognitive impairment or neurological conditions that limit the ability to follow instructions or safely perform the exercise program.
- Severe mobility limitations preventing participation in structured exercise (e.g., inability to walk independently with or without aid).
- Acute musculoskeletal injuries or recent surgeries that contraindicate exercise participation.
- Individuals currently participating in another structured exercise program that would interfere with the study interventions (other than Enguera se saludable for the control group).
- Inability or unwillingness to comply with the requirements of the study (frequency, duration, assessments).
- For the BOT group: lack of access to a device compatible with the virtual assistant or inability/unwillingness to use it.
Interested in this trial?
Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.
Interventions
BOT Group: Home-based exercise program delivered through a virtual assistant for 12 weeks (60 minutes, three times per week), including guided instructions and adherence monitoring. Enguera Exercise Group: Face-to-face, instructor-led exercise sessions from the Enguera se saludable program, with the same frequency and duration (60 minutes, three times per week for 12 weeks).
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT07498530