Combining Exercise and Cognitive Training to Improve Everyday Function

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.

Conditions

• Effect of Exercise on Cognitive Function

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Intensive Exercise

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.

BEHAVIORAL

Home Exercise

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.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Training

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.

BEHAVIORAL

Health Education

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• St. Louis Jewish Community Center

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• St. Louis Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Washington University School of Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ellen Binder, MD · Washington University School of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

55 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-03-31

Primary Completion

2012-08-31

Completion

2013-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations