Concurrent Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training to Prevent Alzheimer's in At-risk Older Adults

Summary

In this research, a unique "Exergame" has been developed and is being tested. The Exergame consists of unique Virtual Reality Cognitive Training (VRCT) games combined with concurrent cycling on a recumbent stationary cycle. The Exergame seamlessly integrates specific cognitive tasks into a virtual environment and is synchronized with cycling to promote cognition. Cycling through an interesting virtual environment will motivate and engage the older adult to participate in the exercise, and VRCT could augment cycling's effects on cognition. A further innovation is that the Exergame has been developed as both an Apple TV and iPAD application, making it widely accessible and available. It will provide a low-cost VRCT Exergame option that currently does not exist, one that is affordable and compatible with almost any stationary cycle. This project is significant because treatment that delays the onset of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by five years could save the U.S. economy an estimated $89 billion by 2030 and no drugs can yet prevent, cure, or even slow AD. Aerobic exercise and cognitive training are two such promising interventions. Emerging mechanistic studies further suggest that the two interventions together may have a synergistic, superior cognitive effect than either intervention alone. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the Exergame intervention on cognition. An RCT is planned in which subjects are randomized on a 2:1:1 allocation ratio to 3 parallel groups (exergame:cycling only:attention control). Mixed methods will be used to assess outcomes in both phases.

Conditions

• Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Exercise Training

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Exergame

Cycling on a recumbent cycle ergometer + Virtual Reality Cognitive Training

BEHAVIORAL

Cycling

Cycling on a recumbent cycle ergometer

BEHAVIORAL

Stretching

Stretching exercises

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Minnesota

  collaborator OTHER

• Moai Technologies LLC

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Dereck L Salisbury, PhD · [email protected]

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-10-01

Primary Completion

2021-10-01

Completion

2021-10-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations