Yoga, Aerobic and Stretching Exercise Effects on Neurocognition

NCT ID: NCT04323163

Last Updated: 2024-07-31

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 145 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2021-01-06
• Study Completion Date: 2024-05-31

Brief Summary

The investigators propose to conduct a 6-month 3-arm randomized controlled exercise trial among older adults to compare the efficacy of yoga with aerobic exercise and stretching-toning exercises on cognitive function, brain structure and function, cardiorespiratory fitness, functional fitness, and inflammatory and molecular markers. Using a single-blind, three arm randomized control trial, 168 older adults ages 55-79 will be assigned to either: a Hatha yoga group, an aerobic exercise group or an active stretching and toning control group. The groups will engage in hour-long group exercise sessions 3x/week. A comprehensive neurocognitive test battery, brain imaging, cardiovascular fitness test, and a blood draw will take place at baseline; end of the 6-month intervention, and at 12-month follow-up.

The proposed work will examine the relationship between yoga training and improved cognitive functioning as well as identify neurobiological correlates as potential mechanisms of action through which yoga training exerts its effect on cognitive function.

COVID-19 Precautions: Due to COVID-19, all exercise sessions will be conducted live via Zoom video-conferencing such that 1/3rd of the participants in each group will exercise in person with the research staff at UIUC campus once a week while the remaining 2/3rd will tune in via Zoom

Conditions

Aging; Cognitive Decline

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Yoga Group

Participants will be led through a beginner yoga course taught by a certified yoga instructor. Classes will meet three times a week for 60 minutes over the 6 month study duration. Sessions will focus on yoga postures, breathing, and meditative practices and may utilize mats, blocks, belts, and blankets.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Physical Activity

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

3 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session for 6 months

Aerobic Group

Trained exercise instructors will lead participants through an aerobic group exercise class. Sessions will begin with a 15-20 minute aerobics class and increase in duration over the 6 months capping off at 40-minutes per session. The prescribed intensity will be 50-60% of the maximum heart rate reserve for weeks one to six and 60-75% for the remainder of the program.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Physical Activity

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

3 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session for 6 months

Stretching Toning Group

Participants randomized to this group will meet three times a week for an hour-long structured group exercise session. This group will perform stretching and toning exercises using resistance bands, balance disks, and exercise mats.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Physical Activity

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

3 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session for 6 months

Interventions

Physical Activity

3 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session for 6 months

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 55-79 years of age at study enrollment
• TICS-M score of 32 or higher
• No current or past diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementias
• Low-active (≤ 2 days of 30 minutes of structured exercise/week)
• Physician's consent to participate in VO2max testing and the exercise program
• Ambulatory
• Absence of health conditions that may be exacerbated by exercise
• Good or corrected vision and hearing
• No MRI contraindications (e.g. metal or implanted devices in the body)
• Right-handed
• Intention to remain in the Champaign-Urbana area over the study duration

Exclusion Criteria

• Below 55 or above 79 years of age at study enrollment
• TICS-M score of 31 or lower
• Current or past diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementias
• High-active (3 or more days of 30 minutes of structured exercise/week)
• Physician's non-consent to participate in VO2max testing and the exercise program
• Non-ambulatory (use of wheelchairs or walkers)
• Presence of health conditions that may be exacerbated by exercise
• Poor vision and hearing
• MRI contraindications (e.g. metal or implanted devices in the body)
• Left-handed
• Plans to travel outside of Champaign-Urbana area during the study

• Minimum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 79 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Wayne State University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Neha P. Gothe

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Neha P Gothe, MA, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Locations

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Countries

United States

References

Gothe NP, Erlenbach E, Garcia V, Malani R, Voss S, Camacho PB, McAuley E, Burd N, Sutton BP, Damoiseaux JS. Yoga, aerobic and stretching exercise effects on neurocognition: Randomized controlled trial protocol. Contemp Clin Trials. 2023 Aug;131:107240. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107240. Epub 2023 May 25.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 37244365 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

20714

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id