Walking may boost brain health in overweight adults, small study hints
NCT ID NCT07425093
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether a 12-week walking program could change brain structure in 22 overweight adults who also had headaches. Participants either followed a diet plus walking or diet alone. Researchers measured brain gray and white matter volumes with MRI scans before and after the program. The goal was to see if exercise-related fat loss might benefit the brain.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Walking exercise program
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that simple walking helps preserve or improve brain structure in people who are overweight.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, completed study with only 22 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and it only looks at short-term changes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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22 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2024
- Finished
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Mar 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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19 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults aged 19-65 years 2. Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m² 3. Presented to the neurosurgery department with headache complaints between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2024 4. Underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2024 5. Completed baseline blood tests between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2024, including: * Fasting blood glucose * Lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) * Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT) * Thyroid function tests (T3, T4, TSH) * Vitamin B12 * Complete blood count (hemogram) * Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 6. Scheduled for routine 6-month follow-up blood work based on initial test results 7. Willing to undergo follow-up brain MRI at 12 weeks (costs covered by research team) 8. Willing and able to attend 6 biweekly nutrition counseling sessions over 12 weeks with the study dietitian 9. Willing and able to attend 6 biweekly body composition measurement appointments over 12 weeks 10. No diagnosed chronic conditions including hypertension or diabetes 11. Owns a smartphone and is proficient in using smartphone applications for heart rate monitoring and step counting Exclusion Criteria: 1. Did not present to the neurosurgery department with headache complaints between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2024 2. Did not undergo brain MRI between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2024 3. Did not complete required baseline blood tests (fasting glucose, lipid profile, liver enzymes, thyroid function, vitamin B12, hemogram, HbA1c) between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2024 4. BMI \<25 kg/m² 5. Unable or unwilling to attend 6 biweekly nutrition counseling sessions over 12 weeks 6. Unable or unwilling to attend 6 biweekly body composition measurement appointments over 12 weeks 7. Diagnosed chronic diseases including hypertension or diabetes 8. Unable to use smartphone applications for heart rate monitoring and step counting, or does not own a smartphone 9. Physical disabilities that would prevent walking exercise 10. Current use of antidepressant medications 11. Currently engaged in regular exercise programs 12. History of cerebrovascular disease (stroke, transient ischemic attack) 13. Diagnosis of epilepsy 14. Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis or Alzheimer's disease 15. Conditions affecting brain ventricular volume (e.g., hydrocephalus) 16. Pregnancy 17. Currently breastfeeding
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Amasya Sabuncuoglu Serefeddin Training and Research Hospital
Amasya, 05100, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Kolmed Hospital
Amasya, 05100, Turkey (Türkiye)
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