NCT01603784

Brief Summary

The purpose of this randomized, controlled, prospective study is to evaluate the benefits of combining aerobic exercise with cognitive training for optimizing cognitive function. The study will enroll 109 men and women, age 55-75 years who are in stable health and without contraindications to exercise or evidence of dementia or cognitive impairment. Individuals will be randomly assigned to one of four groups for six months: Aerobic Exercise and Health Education, Home Exercise and Cognitive Training, Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training, and Home Exercise and Health Education. Participants will undergo measurements of cognitive function, physical performance, and complete questionaires about daily activities, physical activity, and quality of life at baseline (pre-intervention), and at 6 and 12 months after baseline.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
96

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for phase_3

Timeline
Completed

Started Mar 2010

Typical duration for phase_3

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 1, 2010

Completed
2.2 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 2, 2012

Completed
21 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 23, 2012

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 1, 2012

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 1, 2013

Completed
Last Updated

September 3, 2014

Status Verified

August 1, 2014

Enrollment Period

2.4 years

First QC Date

May 2, 2012

Last Update Submit

August 29, 2014

Conditions

Keywords

exercisecognitionmemoryadult

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Memory for Medical Information

    This task measures the ability of the individual to learn and recall complex medical information, and the source of the information.

    Change in memory task performance between baseline and 6 months

  • Cooking Breakfast task

    Participants engage in a computerized laboratory simulation of a cooking task to assesses cognitive dimensions of planning, prospective memory, monitoring the progress of ongoing activity, anticipating potential problems, task switching, and task coordination.

    Change in task performance between baseline and 6 months

  • Virtual Week task

    Participants engage a computerized board game that simulates choices about, and recall of, daily and weekly activities.

    Change in task performance between baseline and 6 months

Secondary Outcomes (9)

  • Activities of Daily Living--Yale Physical Activity Scale (YPAS)

    Baseline, Month 3, Month 6, Month 12

  • Uniform Data Set (UDS)

    Baseline, Month 12

  • Geriatric Depression Scale

    Baseline, Month 12

  • Late Life Function & Disability Index (LLFDI)

    Baseline, Month 6, Month 12

  • Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

    Baseline, Month 6, Month 12

  • +4 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (4)

Combined

EXPERIMENTAL

Aerobic Exercise + Cognitive Training

Behavioral: Intensive ExerciseBehavioral: Cognitive Training

Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Aerobic Exercise + Health Education

Behavioral: Intensive ExerciseBehavioral: Health Education

Cognitive

EXPERIMENTAL

Home Exercise + Cognitive Training

Behavioral: Home ExerciseBehavioral: Cognitive Training

Control

EXPERIMENTAL

Home Exercise + Health Education

Behavioral: Home ExerciseBehavioral: Health Education

Interventions

Standardized aerobic training program that is individualized to each participant's fitness level, and supervised by a certified exercise specialist. Participants attend 3 training sessions per week for 6 months. The session begins with a 10-15 minute warm-up. Participants then exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike, followed by "cool-down" activities. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion are used to evaluate exercise intensity. Participants begin at \~30 min/day 60-70% of HR max and/or an equivalent level of RPE, and progress to 45-50 minutes at 75-85% for HR max.

CombinedExercise
Home ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

Exercise program consisting of stretching, range of motion, and simple yoga exercises designed to improve flexibility. Each participant has a 60-minute sessions with an exercise trainer to teach them how to perform the exercises correctly. They are also given diagrams illustrating the exercises, along with written instructions. They are instructed to perform these exercises at home at least 3 times per week for 30 - 45 minutes. They also go to the recreational center monthly to meet with an exercise trainer to ensure that they are doing the exercises correctly. Participants record their exercise activities on a calendar for the 6 months.

CognitiveControl

Computer-based training that is is administered 3 days per week for 8 weeks during months 5 and 6. The training program focuses on 3 types of cognitive processes: task coordination, prospective memory, and retrospective memory retrieval. One day of the week is devoted to each of the three cognitive processes. Some training sessions include a homework assignment for application and practice of the target cognitive processes in everyday activities.

CognitiveCombined

Weekly educational sessions are administered during months 5 and 6, conducted at the recreational center by research staff. Sessions last 1 hour, and cover health and other topics unrelated to exercise or cognition, such as nutrition, hearing loss, stroke, and saving energy in one's home. At the completion of each session, participants are given a "homework" assignment.

ControlExercise

Eligibility Criteria

Age55 Years - 75 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • age 55-75 years (inclusive)
  • English-speaking
  • sufficient visual and auditory perception to complete testing
  • available informant (someone who knows the individual well)
  • Clinical Dementia Rating of 0 (non-demented per the screening assessment).

You may not qualify if:

  • participation in a regular exercise program in last 6 months
  • participation in a cognitive training program in last 6 months
  • inability to walk on a treadmill or ride an exercise bike
  • less than a 10th grade education
  • mild cognitive impairment or dementia
  • cigarette smoking within the previous year
  • history of alcohol or substance abuse
  • BMI greater than 35
  • insulin-dependent diabetes
  • major and/or unstable medical, neurological, or psychiatric disorder, including:
  • active congestive heart failure
  • unstable angina
  • effort angina
  • nocturnal angina
  • MI within previous 6 months
  • +8 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Washington University School of Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, 63108, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Cognitive Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurological RehabilitationRehabilitationAftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareTherapeuticsHealth ServicesHealth Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Officials

  • Ellen Binder, MD

    Washington University School of Medicine

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
FACTORIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 2, 2012

First Posted

May 23, 2012

Study Start

March 1, 2010

Primary Completion

August 1, 2012

Study Completion

June 1, 2013

Last Updated

September 3, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-08

Locations