The Mental Activity and eXercise Trial for Seniors

Summary

The primary objective of this study is to conduct a randomized, controlled trial to determine whether engaging in mental activity or exercise, either alone or in combination, improves cognitive function in non-demented, inactive older adults who self-report a recent decline in memory or thinking. In addition, we, the researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, plan to seek funding to follow subjects over time to determine whether these interventions are associated with changes in rate of cognitive decline or risk of dementia after the intervention period has ended.

Conditions

• Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Group 1

Aerobic exercise plus computer-based mental activity training: both 3 days/week, 60 minutes/session for 12 weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Group 2

Aerobic exercise plus educational DVDs: both 3 days/week, 60 minutes/session for 12 weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Group 3

Stretching/toning exercise group plus computer-based mental activity training: both 3 days/week, 60 minutes/session for 12 weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Group 4

Stretching/toning exercise group plus educational DVDs: both 3 days/week, 60 minutes/session for 12 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alzheimer's Association

  collaborator OTHER

• National Institute on Aging (NIA)

  collaborator NIH

• Posit Science Corporation

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• YMCA of San Francisco

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of California, San Francisco

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Deborah E Barnes, PhD, MPH · University of California, San Francisco and San Francisco VA Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2007-08-31

Primary Completion

2009-12-31

Completion

2011-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations