NCT02808676

Brief Summary

The proposed SYNERGIC trial is uniquely designed to evaluate the effect of aerobic and progressive resistance training exercises, combined with cognitive training and Vitamin D3 supplementation, in cognition and mobility in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

Trial Health

57
Monitor

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
175

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2016

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

6 active sites

Status
terminated

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

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 6, 2016

Completed
16 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 22, 2016

Completed
22 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 14, 2016

Completed
4.4 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 24, 2020

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 24, 2020

Completed
4.2 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

February 21, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

February 21, 2025

Status Verified

February 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

4.4 years

First QC Date

June 6, 2016

Results QC Date

February 26, 2024

Last Update Submit

February 19, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Cognitive trainingVitamin DExercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Global Cognition Assessed Using the ADASCog(13 and Plus Modalities).

    Global cognition will be assessed using the cognitive section of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-plus EF+FA (ADAS-Cog-plus). This scale consists of 10 brief cognitive tests assessing memory, language, executive function, praxis, and instrumental activities of daily living. The ADAS-Cog has been a significant outcome measure in numerous trials with MCI and AD. The ADAS-Cog-plus has marked advantages as an outcome measure in MCI populations since incorporates items concerning executive function (EF) and functional abilities (FA). Scores in the ADASCog-plus (EF+FA) range from 0 to 90, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance.

    baseline and at 20 weeks (after interventions finalised)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Change in Cognition Assessed as the CCNA Cognitive Battery.

    baseline at 20 weeks (after interventions finalised)

  • Falls Incidence

    baseline at 20 weeks (after interventions finalised)

  • Gait Velocity - cm/s

    baseline at 20 weeks (after interventions finalised)

  • Gait Variability Which is Calculated as Coefficient of Variation (CoV)

    baseline at 20 weeks (after interventions finalised)

Study Arms (5)

Exercises+CognitiveTraining+Vitamin D3

EXPERIMENTAL

Exercises will combine aerobic+resistance training. Cognitive training will be performed before exercise intervention and using using an "ad-hoc" software developed by us for tablets. Vitamin D3 (10000IU) will be provided orally three time per week for 20 weeks.

Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3Other: Exercises (E)Other: Cognitive Training (CT)

Exercises+CognitiveTraining+Placebo D3

EXPERIMENTAL

Exercises will combine aerobic+resistance training. Cognitive training will be performed before exercise intervention and using using an "ad-hoc" software developed by us for tablets. Matching placebo of vitamin D3 will be provided orally three time per week for 20 weeks.

Other: Exercises (E)Other: Cognitive Training (CT)Other: placebo D3

Exercises+Control CogTraining+Vitamin D3

EXPERIMENTAL

Exercises will combine aerobic+resistance training. Control cognitive training will be performed before exercise intervention and will consist in computer skills training courses. Each session will consist of introductory exercises for computers and different software (e.g., Word, Excel), as well as an initiation to the Internet (search engines, websites, games, etc.). Vitamin D3 (10000IU) will be provided orally three time per week for 20 weeks

Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3Other: Exercises (E)Other: control cognitive training

Exercises+Control CogTraining+Placebo D3

EXPERIMENTAL

Exercises will combine aerobic+resistance training.Control cognitive training will be performed before exercise intervention and will consist in computer skills training courses. Each session will consist of introductory exercises for computers and different software (e.g., Word, Excel), as well as an initiation to the Internet (search engines, websites, games, etc. Matching placebo of vitamin D3 will be provided orally three time per week for 20 weeks.

Other: Exercises (E)Other: placebo D3Other: control cognitive training

Placebo exercise+Control Cog+Placebo D3

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

This will be the comparator arm with control/placebo activities.

Other: placebo D3Other: control cognitive trainingOther: Placebo exercise

Interventions

Vitamin D3DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Dose: 10000 IU, three times per week, orally.

Also known as: Cholecalciferol
Exercises+CognitiveTraining+Vitamin D3Exercises+Control CogTraining+Vitamin D3

All participants will complete three (3) group training sessions per week (total 20 weeks), under the supervision of trainers. Each exercise session will last approximately 60 minutes and will happen after the cognitive training/control (CT cCT) session. The exercise session will be a combined aerobic and progressive strengthening exercise. Within each small group of four to eight individuals, participants follow the program tailored to their individual functioning level, with constant monitoring by the trainers. Participants are expected to attend all training sessions and research staff will strongly encourage them to do so.

Exercises+CognitiveTraining+Placebo D3Exercises+CognitiveTraining+Vitamin D3Exercises+Control CogTraining+Placebo D3Exercises+Control CogTraining+Vitamin D3

CT intervention will involve computer-based multimodal and multi-domain dual-task training with memory load. A custom-written program, developed for neuro-rehabilitation and used in previous research trials for cognitive and mobility outcomes will be used. Training sessions will take place in groups of four to eight participants before each of the fitness-training session for duration of 30 min max. Participants will perform a concurrent visuo-motor task (dual-task combination) composed of different sets of visual stimuli that have to be identified by tapping designated figures on an digital tablet (IOS or Android system). Participants will perform discrimination tasks involving sets of items (e.g. letters, numbers, animals, vehicles, fruits, celestial bodies).

Exercises+CognitiveTraining+Placebo D3Exercises+CognitiveTraining+Vitamin D3

matching placebo for Vitamin D3

Exercises+CognitiveTraining+Placebo D3Exercises+Control CogTraining+Placebo D3Placebo exercise+Control Cog+Placebo D3

As a control activity to ensure the same time exposure as in the interventions arms, participant in the control arm will receive a 30 min computer skills training.

Exercises+Control CogTraining+Placebo D3Exercises+Control CogTraining+Vitamin D3Placebo exercise+Control Cog+Placebo D3

As a control activity to ensure the same time exposure as in the interventions arms, participant in the control arm will receive a 60 min of a tone exercise regimen

Placebo exercise+Control Cog+Placebo D3

Eligibility Criteria

Age60 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • At least 60 years of age
  • Self-reported levels of proficiency in English (French for Montreal site only) for speaking and understanding spoken language.
  • Able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, and other trial procedures
  • Able to ambulate at least 10 meters independently
  • Having MCI operationalized using Albert et al. criteria as:
  • objective cognitive impairment in one of the following four cognitive domains: memory, executive function, attention, and language evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test with scores ranging from 13-24/30.
  • Preserved activities of daily living on the disability scale confirmed by clinician interview
  • Having normal or corrected to normal vision in at least one eye so that they can identify symbols and stimuli presented on a computer screen in front of them.
  • Must be in sufficient health to participate in the study's aerobic-based exercise training program, based on medical history, vital signs, physical examination by study physicians, or written recommendation by family physician indicating one's appropriateness to participate in aerobic-based exercise training program.

You may not qualify if:

  • Serious underlying disease (such as active cancer, or recent heart attack) which, in the opinion of the investigator, may preclude engagement in interventions or may interfere with the participant's ability to participate fully in the study.
  • Diagnosis of dementia using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.
  • Participant with uncontrolled major depression, schizophrenia, severe anxiety and substance abuse.
  • Current parkinsonism or any neurological disorder with residual motor deficits (e.g. stroke with motor deficit), active musculo-skeletal disorders (e.g. severe osteoarthritis of lower limbs) or history of knee/hip replacement affecting gait performance at clinical evaluation.
  • Intention to enroll in other clinical trials during the same time period
  • Pre-existing exercise structured training program involving aerobic or resistance training in previous 6 months.
  • Taking cognitive enhancers, neuroleptics, anticholinergics or Vitamin D3 in doses more than 1000IU/day or equivalent.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (6)

University of British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Location

St. Joseph's Health Care London, Parkwood Hospital

London, Ontario, N6C5J1, Canada

Location

University of Waterloo

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Location

Wilfrid Laurier University

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Location

Concordia University

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Location

Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Location

Related Publications (26)

  • Bherer L, Erickson KI, Liu-Ambrose T. Physical exercise and brain functions in older adults. J Aging Res. 2013;2013:197326. doi: 10.1155/2013/197326. Epub 2013 Sep 17. No abstract available.

    PMID: 24163767BACKGROUND
  • Liu-Ambrose T, Nagamatsu LS, Voss MW, Khan KM, Handy TC. Resistance training and functional plasticity of the aging brain: a 12-month randomized controlled trial. Neurobiol Aging. 2012 Aug;33(8):1690-8. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.05.010. Epub 2011 Jul 7.

    PMID: 21741129BACKGROUND
  • Colcombe S, Kramer AF. Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: a meta-analytic study. Psychol Sci. 2003 Mar;14(2):125-30. doi: 10.1111/1467-9280.t01-1-01430.

    PMID: 12661673BACKGROUND
  • Langlois F, Vu TT, Chasse K, Dupuis G, Kergoat MJ, Bherer L. Benefits of physical exercise training on cognition and quality of life in frail older adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2013 May;68(3):400-4. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbs069. Epub 2012 Aug 28.

    PMID: 22929394BACKGROUND
  • Sage MD, Almeida QJ. A positive influence of vision on motor symptoms during sensory attention focused exercise for Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2010 Jan 15;25(1):64-9. doi: 10.1002/mds.22886.

    PMID: 19938164BACKGROUND
  • Sage MD, Almeida QJ. Symptom and gait changes after sensory attention focused exercise vs aerobic training in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2009 Jun 15;24(8):1132-8. doi: 10.1002/mds.22469.

    PMID: 19373930BACKGROUND
  • Cotman CW, Berchtold NC, Christie LA. Exercise builds brain health: key roles of growth factor cascades and inflammation. Trends Neurosci. 2007 Sep;30(9):464-72. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2007.06.011. Epub 2007 Aug 31.

    PMID: 17765329BACKGROUND
  • Nagamatsu LS, Handy TC, Hsu CL, Voss M, Liu-Ambrose T. Resistance training promotes cognitive and functional brain plasticity in seniors with probable mild cognitive impairment. Arch Intern Med. 2012 Apr 23;172(8):666-8. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2012.379. No abstract available.

    PMID: 22529236BACKGROUND
  • Kueider AM, Parisi JM, Gross AL, Rebok GW. Computerized cognitive training with older adults: a systematic review. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e40588. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040588. Epub 2012 Jul 11.

    PMID: 22792378BACKGROUND
  • Reijnders J, van Heugten C, van Boxtel M. Cognitive interventions in healthy older adults and people with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review. Ageing Res Rev. 2013 Jan;12(1):263-75. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2012.07.003. Epub 2012 Jul 25.

    PMID: 22841936BACKGROUND
  • Ballesteros S, Prieto A, Mayas J, Toril P, Pita C, Ponce de Leon L, Reales JM, Waterworth J. Brain training with non-action video games enhances aspects of cognition in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Front Aging Neurosci. 2014 Oct 14;6:277. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00277. eCollection 2014.

    PMID: 25352805BACKGROUND
  • Chapman SB, Aslan S, Spence JS, Hart JJ Jr, Bartz EK, Didehbani N, Keebler MW, Gardner CM, Strain JF, DeFina LF, Lu H. Neural mechanisms of brain plasticity with complex cognitive training in healthy seniors. Cereb Cortex. 2015 Feb;25(2):396-405. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bht234. Epub 2013 Aug 28.

    PMID: 23985135BACKGROUND
  • Annweiler C, Montero-Odasso M, Muir SW, Beauchet O. Vitamin D and Brain Imaging in the Elderly: Should we Expect Some Lesions Specifically Related to Hypovitaminosis D? Open Neuroimag J. 2012;6:16-8. doi: 10.2174/1874440001206010016. Epub 2012 Feb 28.

    PMID: 22423308BACKGROUND
  • Beauchet O, Annweiler C, Verghese J, Fantino B, Herrmann FR, Allali G. Biology of gait control: vitamin D involvement. Neurology. 2011 May 10;76(19):1617-22. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e318219fb08. Epub 2011 Apr 6.

    PMID: 21471466BACKGROUND
  • Annweiler C, Schott AM, Rolland Y, Blain H, Herrmann FR, Beauchet O. Dietary intake of vitamin D and cognition in older women: a large population-based study. Neurology. 2010 Nov 16;75(20):1810-6. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181fd6352.

    PMID: 21079183BACKGROUND
  • Montero-Odasso M, Bherer L, Studenski S, Gopaul K, Oteng-Amoako A, Woolmore-Goodwin S, Stoole P, Wells J, Doherty T, Zecevic AA, Galinsky D, Rylett RJ, Jutai J, Muir-Hunter S, Speechley M, Camicioli R. Mobility and Cognition in Seniors. Report from the 2008 Institute of Aging (CIHR) Mobility and Cognition Workshop. Can Geriatr J. 2015 Sep 30;18(3):159-67. doi: 10.5770/cgj.18.188. eCollection 2015 Sep.

    PMID: 26495050BACKGROUND
  • Annweiler C, Beauchet O, Bartha R, Hachinski V, Montero-Odasso M; WALK Team (Working group Angers-London for Knowledge). Vitamin D and caudal primary motor cortex: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. PLoS One. 2014 Jan 31;9(1):e87314. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087314. eCollection 2014.

    PMID: 24498072BACKGROUND
  • Montero-Odasso M, Hachinski V. Preludes to brain failure: executive dysfunction and gait disturbances. Neurol Sci. 2014 Apr;35(4):601-4. doi: 10.1007/s10072-013-1613-4. Epub 2013 Dec 24.

    PMID: 24366243BACKGROUND
  • Montero-Odasso M, Verghese J, Beauchet O, Hausdorff JM. Gait and cognition: a complementary approach to understanding brain function and the risk of falling. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012 Nov;60(11):2127-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04209.x. Epub 2012 Oct 30.

    PMID: 23110433BACKGROUND
  • Skinner J, Carvalho JO, Potter GG, Thames A, Zelinski E, Crane PK, Gibbons LE; Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive-Plus (ADAS-Cog-Plus): an expansion of the ADAS-Cog to improve responsiveness in MCI. Brain Imaging Behav. 2012 Dec;6(4):489-501. doi: 10.1007/s11682-012-9166-3.

    PMID: 22614326BACKGROUND
  • Albert MS, DeKosky ST, Dickson D, Dubois B, Feldman HH, Fox NC, Gamst A, Holtzman DM, Jagust WJ, Petersen RC, Snyder PJ, Carrillo MC, Thies B, Phelps CH. The diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease: recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2011 May;7(3):270-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.008. Epub 2011 Apr 21.

    PMID: 21514249BACKGROUND
  • Fraser SA, Li KZ, DeMont RG, Penhune VB. Effects of balance status and age on muscle activation while walking under divided attention. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2007 May;62(3):P171-8. doi: 10.1093/geronb/62.3.p171.

    PMID: 17507585BACKGROUND
  • Montero-Odasso M, Zou G, Speechley M, Almeida QJ, Liu-Ambrose T, Middleton LE, Camicioli R, Bray NW, Li KZH, Fraser S, Pieruccini-Faria F, Berryman N, Lussier M, Shoemaker JK, Son S, Bherer L; Canadian Gait and Cognition Network. Effects of Exercise Alone or Combined With Cognitive Training and Vitamin D Supplementation to Improve Cognition in Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Jul 3;6(7):e2324465. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.24465.

    PMID: 37471089BACKGROUND
  • Bray NW, Pieruccini-Faria F, Witt ST, Rockwood K, Bartha R, Doherty TJ, Nagamatsu LS, Almeida QJ, Liu-Ambrose T, Middleton LE, Bherer L, Montero-Odasso M. Frailty and functional brain connectivity (FBC) in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI): baseline results from the SYNERGIC Trial. Geroscience. 2023 Apr;45(2):1033-1048. doi: 10.1007/s11357-022-00702-4. Epub 2022 Dec 21.

    PMID: 36539590BACKGROUND
  • Bray NW, Pieruccini-Faria F, Witt ST, Bartha R, Doherty TJ, Nagamatsu LS, Almeida QJ, Liu-Ambrose T, Middleton LE, Bherer L, Montero-Odasso M. Combining exercise with cognitive training and vitamin D3 to improve functional brain connectivity (FBC) in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Results from the SYNERGIC trial. Geroscience. 2023 Jun;45(3):1967-1985. doi: 10.1007/s11357-023-00805-6. Epub 2023 May 10.

    PMID: 37162700BACKGROUND
  • Montero-Odasso M, Almeida QJ, Burhan AM, Camicioli R, Doyon J, Fraser S, Li K, Liu-Ambrose T, Middleton L, Muir-Hunter S, McIlroy W, Morais JA, Pieruccini-Faria F, Shoemaker K, Speechley M, Vasudev A, Zou GY, Berryman N, Lussier M, Vanderhaeghe L, Bherer L. SYNERGIC TRIAL (SYNchronizing Exercises, Remedies in Gait and Cognition) a multi-Centre randomized controlled double blind trial to improve gait and cognition in mild cognitive impairment. BMC Geriatr. 2018 Apr 16;18(1):93. doi: 10.1186/s12877-018-0782-7.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive DysfunctionMotor Activity

Interventions

CholecalciferolExerciseCognitive Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition DisordersNeurocognitive DisordersMental DisordersBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

CholestenesCholestanesSteroidsFused-Ring CompoundsPolycyclic CompoundsSterolsVitamin DSecosteroidsMembrane LipidsLipidsMotor ActivityMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological PhenomenaNeurological RehabilitationRehabilitationAftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareTherapeuticsHealth ServicesHealth Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Results Point of Contact

Title
Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso
Organization
Lawson Health Research Institute

Study Officials

  • Manuel M Montero-Odasso, MD, PhD

    Gait and Brain Lab, Lawson Health Research Institute

    STUDY CHAIR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
No
Restrictive Agreement
No

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 6, 2016

First Posted

June 22, 2016

Study Start

July 14, 2016

Primary Completion

November 24, 2020

Study Completion

November 24, 2020

Last Updated

February 21, 2025

Results First Posted

February 21, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-02

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations