Effectiveness Of Computer-Based Cognitive Training in Age-Related Cognitive Decline

NCT06226103 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: REC-45/06/919
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background: Ageing is frequently accompanied by physiological changes that might result in a deterioration in physical and cognitive abilities, which frequently leads to institutionalization or the loss of autonomy. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal cognitive aging and early dementia, the optimal period to intervene with preventive strategies and early treatments. Thus, the current study intends to investigate the effects of aerobic and computer-based cognitive training on age-related cognitive decline. Methods: This is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (n = 60) will be randomized to 2 arms and treated for 12 weeks: arm 1 (aerobic exercise and computerized cognitive training) and arm 2 (Placebo; will not receive any intervention). Outcome measure used were Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test, Barthel Index (BI) and short form survey-12 (SF-12). Statistical Analysis: To compare the baseline characteristics and outcome variables between the two groups, independent t-tests was employed. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to determine the interaction effect of time (baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up) and group (intervention vs. control) on the outcome measures.

Conditions

Age-related Cognitive Decline

Keywords

Cognition; Computer Based Cognitive Training; Aerobic Training; Exercises

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Montreal Cognitive Assessment test

  A commonly used test to assess different cognitive domains, including short-term memory recall, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, attention, concentration, and working memory. MoCA scores range between 0 and 30 where the highest score is considered to be normal.

  at the baseline (day 0), at the end of the treatment (after 12 weeks) as well as after 4 weeks of follow up (after 16 weeks)

• Barthel Index

  This index was used to measure an individual's capacity to perform ten activities of daily living, reflecting their functional independence. Total possible scores range from 0 - 20, with lower scores indicating increased disability.

  at the baseline (day 0), at the end of the treatment (after 12 weeks) as well as after 4 weeks of follow up (after 16 weeks)

• Short form survey-12

  A generic measure utilized to assess the health-related quality of life, covering both physical and mental health dimensions. The summary scores range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. Higher the SF-12 scores, indicates the higher (better) quality of life.

  at the baseline (day 0), at the end of the treatment (after 12 weeks) as well as after 4 weeks of follow up (after 16 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Interventional Group (Aerobic Exercise and Computerized Cognitive Training)

EXPERIMENTAL

Aerobic Exercise (AE) included walk briskly, increasing intensity and duration progressively. The first week they had to walk 30 min per day, 3 days per week, up to 9-10 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (BRPES; Borg, 1982) perceived as light intensity; during the second week, the duration was increased to 45 min and the intensity 9-10 and frequency (3 days per week) were maintained; the following 10 weeks they maintained the duration (45 min) and frequency (3 days per week) and increased the intensity up to 12-14 on BRPES perceived as moderate-high effort. Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) included a multidomain computer-based cognitive training using the brainHQ software in sessions of 45 min, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Cognitive tasks targeted attention, recognition, colour and shape, identification, calculation, visual perception, visual spatial processing, memory, and executive function).

Other: Aerobic Exercise and Computerized Cognitive Training

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants were exposed to balancing, coordination, stretching, and core exercises. Additionally, they attended brain health lectures to provide a comparative non-interactive cognitive engagement. Both the exercises and lectures were scheduled similar to the intervention group over 12 weeks.

Other: Conventional Exercises and Brain health lectures

Interventions

Aerobic Exercise and Computerized Cognitive Training OTHER

Aerobic Exercise (AE) included walk briskly, increasing intensity and duration progressively. The first week they had to walk 30 min per day, 3 days per week, up to 9-10 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (BRPES; Borg, 1982) perceived as light intensity; during the second week, the duration was increased to 45 min and the intensity 9-10 and frequency (3 days per week) were maintained; the following 10 weeks they maintained the duration (45 min) and frequency (3 days per week) and increased the intensity up to 12-14 on BRPES perceived as moderate-high effort. Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) included a multidomain computer-based cognitive training using the brainHQ software in sessions of 45 min, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Cognitive tasks targeted attention, recognition, colour and shape, identification, calculation, visual perception, visual spatial processing, memory, and executive function.

Interventional Group (Aerobic Exercise and Computerized Cognitive Training)

Conventional Exercises and Brain health lectures OTHER

Participants were exposed to balancing, coordination, stretching, and core exercises. Additionally, they attended brain health lectures to provide a comparative non-interactive cognitive engagement. Both the exercises and lectures were scheduled similar to the intervention group over 12 weeks

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Who fulfilled MCI criteria \[10\]: (1) subjective cognitive concerns; (2) objective cognitive impairment in memory, executive function, attention, and/or language; (3) preserved activities of daily living; and (4) absence of dementia
• Literate
• Had adequate visual, auditory, and fine motor skills.

You may not qualify if:

• Major depression (scored \> 9 in the Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15) \[11\]
• Schizophrenia
• Substance abuse
• parkinsonism
• conditions affecting gait (eg, severe osteoarthritis, previous stroke),
• participated in any cognitive training program during last 6 months \> 2 h/week
• ACSM contraindications to exercise or other factors that make exercise impossible or unsafe
• cognitive enhancers, or anticholinergics

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Jazan: lead

Study Sites (1)

Jazan University

Jizan, Saudi Arabia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 5, 2024
• First Posted: January 26, 2024
• Study Start: January 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 25, 2024
• Study Completion: February 12, 2025
• Last Updated: July 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SA (1)