The Mental Activity and eXercise Trial for Seniors

NCT ID: NCT00522899

Last Updated: 2012-04-09

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

126 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2007-08-31

Study Completion Date

2011-06-30

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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SPECIFIC AIMS AND HYPOTHESES

Aim 1: To determine whether a 12-week, computer-based mental activity program improves cognitive function in non-demented, inactive elders.

We hypothesize that this mental activity program will improve cognitive function-especially visuospatial function-in non-demented, inactive elders.

Aim 2: To determine whether a 12-week exercise program improves cognitive function in non-demented, inactive elders.

We hypothesize that this exercise program will improve cognitive function-especially executive function-in non-demented, inactive elders.

Aim 3: To determine whether the effects of mental activity and exercise are additive or are more or less than the sum of their parts.

We hypothesize that the effects of these mental activity and exercise interventions will be additive.

Aim 4: To determine whether mental activity and/or exercise may slow cognitive decline or lower risk of dementia in non-demented, inactive elders.

We hypothesize that both mental activity and exercise will slow cognitive decline and lower risk of dementia, and that the effects will be greatest when mental activity and exercise are combined.

Conditions

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Cognitive Impairment

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

FACTORIAL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Aerobic exercise

Study-specific group exercise classes include 10' warm-up, 30' cardio, 5' cool down, 15' stretching/toning. Target heart rate is 60-75% of maximum. Study participants attend classes 60 min/day, 3 days/week for 12 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Group 1

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Group 2

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Stretching/toning

Study-specific stretching/toning exercise classes include 10' warm-up, 40' stretching/toning, 10' relaxation. Participants attend classes 60 minutes/day, 3 days/week for 12 weeks.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Group 3

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Group 4

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Computer-based mental activity training

Computer-based visual and auditory stimulation training programs developed by Posit Science corporation. Participants perform assigned mental activity on computers in their homes for 60 minutes/day, 3 days/week for 12 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Group 1

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Group 3

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Educational DVD training

Watching and listening to in-depth, college-level lectures on art, history and science on the computer. Participants perform assigned mental activities 60 minutes/day, 3 days/week for 12 weeks.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Group 2

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Group 4

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Interventions

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Group 1

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

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Group 2

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

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Group 3

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

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Group 4

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

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age \> 64
* Self-report of recent decline in memory or thinking
* Low/no physical activity (\<2 days/week for \<30 minutes/session of moderate intensity activity over past 3 months)
* Low/no computer mental activity (\<2 days/week for \<30 minutes/session over past 3 months)
* Fluent in English
* Willingness to perform study activities

Exclusion Criteria

* Evidence of dementia (based on self-report, physician diagnosis or score \< 19 on Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status)
* Significant central nervous system disorder (Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS \[Lou Gerig's disease\])
* Major, current psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychiatric hospitalization in past 20 years)
* Major central nervous system event (stroke, transient ischemic attack/mini-stroke, seizure, or traumatic brain injury that has left a residual deficit)
* Significant heart disease (severe congestive heart failure, severe aortic stenosis, cardiac arrest, uncontrolled angina)
* Significant lung disease (requiring supplemental oxygen or oral or injected steroids)
* Other condition that would make participation potentially dangerous (cancer requiring treatment in past 3 years, severe arthritis, history of cardiac defibrillation, dialysis)
* Lack of physician approval
* Severe hearing or visual impairment
* History of learning disability
* Starting prescription medication to enhance cognitive function (e.g., memantine, aricept)
* Dependent in any basic activity of daily living (eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, getting out of bed/chair)
* History of alcohol abuse/heavy alcohol use
* History of drug abuse/heavy drug use
* Currently enrolled in another research study
* Fibromyalgia or tremor severe enough to prevent use of a computer mouse
* Planning to travel \> 4 exercise class days during study period
* Behaviors during screening or baseline visit that, in the judgement of research staff, are likely to present significant problems (e.g., uncooperative, anger, inappropriate physical contact)
* Unable to perform neuropsychological evaluations
* Unable to complete consent process
Minimum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Alzheimer's Association

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Posit Science Corporation

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

YMCA of San Francisco

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of California, San Francisco

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Deborah Barnes

Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Deborah E Barnes, PhD, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of California, San Francisco and San Francisco VA Medical Center

Locations

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San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center

San Francisco, California, United States

Site Status

University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Barnes DE, Santos-Modesitt W, Poelke G, Kramer AF, Castro C, Middleton LE, Yaffe K. The Mental Activity and eXercise (MAX) trial: a randomized controlled trial to enhance cognitive function in older adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2013 May 13;173(9):797-804. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.189.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 23545598 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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K01AG024069

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

IIRG-06-27306

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

BarnesDeborahE-1

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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