Trial Outcomes & Findings for Time Restricted Eating for Metabolic and Psychological Optimization (NCT NCT05997316)

NCT ID: NCT05997316

Last Updated: 2026-03-27

Results Overview

Participants underwent multiple assessments of Executive Functioning at each time point. Specifically, participants completed the Trail Making Test Parts A \& B, the Digit Span Forwards and Backwards Tasks, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, the Animal Naming Test, and the Stroop Word and Color-Word Interference Tests at both pre-and-post treatment. In order to create a single Executive Function score, each of these nine measures were ranked at each time point and a mean rank was created, with higher scores reflecting higher Executive Function performance. The mean rank for Executive Function performance at 12 weeks was used as the outcome, controlling for baseline Executive Function performance. If time restricted fasting was effective in improving Executive Function performance, then the mean rank composite score should be larger at 12 weeks compared to baseline.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

33 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline, 12 Weeks

Results posted on

2026-03-27

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Time Restricted Eating
Participants will engage in a 12-week time restricted fasting intervention. Each week, participants will work with a clinical psychologist to modify the timing of their eating behaviors to adhere to a 16-hour fast, 2-3 days per week. Time restricted eating: Participants will work with a psychologist towards achieving a 16 hour fasting period, 2-3 days per week. The intervention will last 12 weeks, with different intervention materials gradually introduced over the course of the 12 weeks.
Overall Study
STARTED
33
Overall Study
COMPLETED
33
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Time Restricted Eating for Metabolic and Psychological Optimization

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Time Restricted Eating
n=33 Participants
Participants completed a time restricted eating intervention, fasting 16-18 hours 2-3 days per week over a period of 12 weeks.
Age, Continuous
74.2 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.4 • n=56 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
17 Participants
n=56 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
16 Participants
n=56 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants
n=56 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
32 Participants
n=56 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=56 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=56 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants
n=56 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=56 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants
n=56 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
29 Participants
n=56 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants
n=56 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=56 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
33 Participants
n=56 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 12 Weeks

Participants completed two assessments of learning and memory at each time point. The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Revised (HVLT-R) was used to assess verbal memory and the Brief Visual Memory Test - Revised (BVMT-R) was used to assess visual memory. Both the HVLT-R and the BVMT-R provide three separate scores that reflect total learning, retention of information, and recognition of learned items following a delay. In order to create a single Memory performance score, each of these six scores were ranked at each time point and a mean rank was created, with higher scores reflecting higher Memory performance. The mean rank for Memory performance at 12 weeks was used as the outcome, controlling for baseline Memory performance. If time restricted fasting was effective in improving Memory performance, then the mean rank composite score should be larger at 12 weeks compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Time Restricted Eating
n=33 Participants
Participants will engage in a 12-week time restricted fasting intervention. Each week, participants will work with a clinical psychologist to modify the timing of their eating behaviors to adhere to a 16-hour fast, 2-3 days per week.
Change in Memory Composite Rank
6.22 rank
Interval 2.84 to 9.61

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 12 Weeks

Participants underwent multiple assessments of Executive Functioning at each time point. Specifically, participants completed the Trail Making Test Parts A \& B, the Digit Span Forwards and Backwards Tasks, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, the Animal Naming Test, and the Stroop Word and Color-Word Interference Tests at both pre-and-post treatment. In order to create a single Executive Function score, each of these nine measures were ranked at each time point and a mean rank was created, with higher scores reflecting higher Executive Function performance. The mean rank for Executive Function performance at 12 weeks was used as the outcome, controlling for baseline Executive Function performance. If time restricted fasting was effective in improving Executive Function performance, then the mean rank composite score should be larger at 12 weeks compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Time Restricted Eating
n=33 Participants
Participants will engage in a 12-week time restricted fasting intervention. Each week, participants will work with a clinical psychologist to modify the timing of their eating behaviors to adhere to a 16-hour fast, 2-3 days per week.
Change in Executive Function Composite Rank
5.97 rank
Standard Error 1.42

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 12 Weeks

Participants underwent assessments of multiple metabolic markers at each time point. Metabolic biomarkers included glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, adiponectin, lactate, leptin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and fibroblast growth factor-21. In order to create a single measure of Metabolic Function, each of these seven metabolic biomarkers were ranked at each time point and a mean rank was created, with higher scores reflecting better Metabolic Function. The mean rank for Metabolic Function at 12 weeks was used as the outcome, controlling for baseline Metabolic Function. If time restricted fasting was effective in improving Metabolic Function, then the mean rank composite score should be larger at 12 weeks compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Time Restricted Eating
n=33 Participants
Participants will engage in a 12-week time restricted fasting intervention. Each week, participants will work with a clinical psychologist to modify the timing of their eating behaviors to adhere to a 16-hour fast, 2-3 days per week.
Change in Metabolic Function Composite Rank
1.31 rank
Standard Error 0.634

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 12 Weeks

Participants underwent assessments of multiple inflammatory markers at each time point. Inflammatory biomarkers included interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, vascular cell adhesion molecule, intracellular adhesion molecule, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, tumor necrosis factor receptor type I, and tumor necrosis factor receptor type II. In order to create a single measure of Inflammatory Function, each of these seven inflammatory biomarkers were ranked at each time point and a mean rank was created, with higher scores reflecting higher Inflammatory Function. The mean rank for Inflammatory Function at 12 weeks was used as the outcome, controlling for baseline Inflammatory Function. If time restricted fasting was effective in improving Inflammatory Function, then the mean rank composite score should be smaller at 12 weeks compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Time Restricted Eating
n=33 Participants
Participants will engage in a 12-week time restricted fasting intervention. Each week, participants will work with a clinical psychologist to modify the timing of their eating behaviors to adhere to a 16-hour fast, 2-3 days per week.
Change in Inflammatory Function Composite Rank
0.35 rank
Standard Error 0.61

Adverse Events

Time Restricted Eating

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Patrick J. Smith, PhD, MPH

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Phone: 919-966-9812

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place