Online Group-based Dual-task Training to Improve Cognitive Function of Community-dwelling Older Adults

NCT05573646 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 19200991
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 76
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Objectives: This study aims to explore the feasibility, acceptance, and efficacy of online group-based dual-task training as an intervention for improving cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults. Hypothesis to be tested: We hypothesize that after the intervention, there will be an improvement in the participants' cognitive function as compared with pre-intervention status and with the control group. Also, lower-limb muscle strength and psychosocial wellbeing will be improved after the intervention. Design and subjects: This is a randomised controlled feasibility study. The target population is community-dwelling older adults with access to an online meeting platform. About 75 participants will be recruited and randomised to the intervention and attention control groups in a ratio of 2:1. Intervention group will receive 60 minutes of online group-based dual-task training twice a week for 12 weeks led by a trained facilitator. Cognitive training components include arithmetic operation, verbal fluency, and upper limb/finger movement. Physical training components are chair-based exercises. The training components will be selected using a co-design approach. Instruments: Memory Inventory in Chinese (MIC), Digit Span Test, Victoria Stroop Test, Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-Minutes (Hong Kong Version). Main outcome measures: Subjective memory complaints as measured by MIC.

Conditions

Aging Well

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change from baseline subjective memory complaints at 6 weeks

  Measured by Memory Inventory in Chinese. The sum of score ranges from 0 to 108, higher score indicates more memory complaints.

  Six weeks after baseline

• Change from baseline subjective memory complaints at 12 weeks

  Measured by Memory Inventory in Chinese. The sum of score ranges from 0 to 108, higher score indicates more memory complaints.

  12 weeks after baseline

• Change from baseline subjective memory complaints at 18 weeks

  Measured by Memory Inventory in Chinese. The sum of score ranges from 0 to 108, higher score indicates more memory complaints.

  18 weeks after baseline

Secondary Outcomes (24)

• Change from baseline cognitive status at 6 weeks

  Six weeks after baseline

• Change from baseline cognitive status at 12 weeks

  12 weeks after baseline

• Change from baseline cognitive status at 18 weeks

  18 weeks after baseline

• Change from baseline working memory at 6 weeks

  Six weeks after baseline

• Change from baseline working memory at 12 weeks

  12 weeks after baseline

Study Arms (2)

Dual-task training

EXPERIMENTAL

Dual-task training group

Other: Dual-task training

Attention control

OTHER

Attention control group

Other: Attention Control

Interventions

Dual-task training OTHER

Participants will receive a one-hour online group-based dual-task training session twice a week for 12 weeks, giving a total intervention time of 24 hours. A co-design approach will be adopted to develop the training components in the dual-tasks. For the cognitive training component, arithmetic operation, verbal fluency, and upper limb/ finger movements are included. For the physical training component, we select chair-based exercises are included. A group-based training mode led by a facilitator will be adopted. During the session, participants will be asked to turn on their camera so that they can see and interact with each other. They will also have their audio on as they will have to participate in the cognitive tasks by voicing out their answers.

Dual-task training

Attention Control OTHER

Participants will receive eight one-hour online group-based interactive education on health topics other than exercise and cognitive health.

Attention control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• aged 65 years and above,
• no communication problems,
• able to communicate in Chinese, and
• able to use an online meeting platform.

You may not qualify if:

• contraindications to chair-based exercises, and
• engagement in any kind of cognitive training three months prior to the study or during the study period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Hong Kong: lead
• Health and Medical Research Fund: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Nursing Home

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Chau PH, Cheung DST, Kwok JYY, Chan WC, Yu DSF. Online Group-Based Dual-Task Training to Improve Cognitive Function of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study. JMIR Aging. 2025 May 16;8:e67267. doi: 10.2196/67267.

  PMID: 40378407 DERIVED

Study Officials

• Pui Hing Chau, PhD

  School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 25, 2022
• First Posted: October 10, 2022
• Study Start: October 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2024
• Study Completion: June 30, 2024
• Last Updated: August 23, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)