Effects of Mobile Application-Based Cognitive Training Along With Aerobic Training

NCT ID: NCT07148453

Last Updated: 2025-11-24

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 22 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-08-20
• Study Completion Date: 2026-03-20

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial will determine the effects of combining mobile application-based cognitive training with aerobic exercise on cognitive function and the effects of combining mobile application-based cognitive training with aerobic exercise on quality of life in post-stroke patients

Detailed Description

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stroke as a clinical syndrome marked by the rapid onset of symptoms indicating a focal or global disturbance in brain function. These symptoms last for more than 24 hours or result in death, with no identifiable cause other than a vascular origin. Data on stroke incidence and prevalence in Pakistan are limited, though numerous case series in the literature highlight notable variations in stroke epidemiology, risk factors, and subtypes within the population. The effects of stroke are vast, encompassing physical disability and mortality as well as profound psychological, social, and economic impacts.

Cognitive ability refers to thinking, making sound decisions, and interacting effectively with one's surroundings. When cognitive ability is impaired, it can affect concentration, memory, and learning. Intelligence, which reflects judgment, understanding, and reasoning skills, is often used to measure cognitive abilities in adapting to the environment. post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) refers to cognitive difficulties that arise within 3 to 6 months after a stroke. These impairments may be linked directly to the stroke site, such as aphasia or memory issues, or result from damage to areas like the hippocampus, thalamus, and certain cortical regions. PSCI often overlaps with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), displaying challenges in visuospatial, attentional, and executive functions. Although some researchers distinguish between early and delayed PSCI based on the timing of cognitive changes, there is no consistent definition, which has complicated PSCI research.

Mobile brain-training games like Lumosity and Peak aim to enhance cognitive skills, such as working memory and attention, through engaging, gamified tasks. These games use challenges and rewards to boost motivation and support learning. A user of the Lumosity app reported improvements in speed, attention, and memory after consistent use since 2011, with others who have experienced brain injuries such as coma, surgery, or concussion also noting positive effects. Brain-training apps like Lumosity and Peak promote cognitive enhancement through gamified tasks aimed at skills such as memory and attention. These claims have contributed to substantial market growth, with the brain-training app industry projected to exceed USD 44.43 billion by 2030.

Aerobic physical exercise (PE) is potentially significant in alleviating cognitive impairment after a stroke. Several neural mechanisms have been associated with the benefits of aerobic exercise on cognitive recovery. Additionally, aerobic exercise supports angiogenesis, reduces secondary injury, and minimizes neuronal damage, all of which contribute to improved cognitive outcomes following a stroke. Aerobic exercise sessions lasting more than 20 minutes are recommended, depending on the frequency and intensity of the exercise. It is also advisable to include warm-up and cool-down periods of 3 to 5 minutes.

This study evaluates the combined impact of the Lumosity brain-training app and aerobic exercise on cognitive function and quality of life (QoL) in older stroke survivors. Traditional methods typically independently implement cognitive rehabilitation and aerobic training, with limited evidence supporting their combined application. This research aims to demonstrate whether combining these methods yields superior cognitive and functional recovery outcomes. Given the limited research on the use of commercial brain training games specifically for stroke survivors, this study seeks to fill a gap in the literature. Previous research has primarily focused on healthy populations, leaving a need for more targeted investigations in stroke rehabilitation. By assessing Lumosity's impact on cognitive recovery, this study will provide valuable insights into the potential of brain training apps for post-stroke rehabilitation. Furthermore, aerobic exercise has demonstrated significant potential in supporting cognitive recovery after stroke, promoting neural plasticity, enhancing neurogenesis, and improving blood flow to affected brain regions. These mechanisms contribute to better cognitive and functional outcomes. This study will explore the combined benefits of cognitive training and aerobic exercise, investigating whether this integrated approach can offer a more effective, accessible, and low-cost strategy for delaying cognitive decline, improving QoL, and supporting long-term recovery in stroke survivors. If successful, this combined approach could pave the way for scalable, novel interventions that empower stroke survivors in their cognitive rehabilitation and overall recovery process.

Conditions

Stroke

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Lumosity-based cognitive training + aerobic exercise

The experimental group will receive training through a smartphone-based brain training program using the Lumosity app, as well as aerobic exercise on a bicycle ergometer for 18 sessions other days for 6 weeks, 3 times per week, every session for 40 minutes (20 minutes aerobic training on a stationary bicycle ergometer followed by 20 minutes for Lumosity training application on the smartphone).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Experimental Group

Intervention Type: OTHER

The experimental group will receive training through a smartphone-based brain training program using the Lumosity app, as well as aerobic exercise on a bicycle ergometer for 18 sessions other days for 6 weeks, 3 times per week, every session for 40 minutes (20 minutes aerobic training on a stationary bicycle ergometer followed by 20 minutes for Lumosity training application on the smartphone).

Aerobics + Traditional mental exercises

The control group will participate in aerobic training on a bicycle ergometer as well as mental exercises for 18 sessions every other day for 6 weeks, 3 sessions/week, each for 40 minutes.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Control Group

Intervention Type: OTHER

The control group will participate in aerobic training on a bicycle ergometer as well as mental exercises for 18 sessions every other day for 6 weeks, 3 sessions/week, each for 40 minutes

Interventions

Control Group

The control group will participate in aerobic training on a bicycle ergometer as well as mental exercises for 18 sessions every other day for 6 weeks, 3 sessions/week, each for 40 minutes

Intervention Type: OTHER

Experimental Group

The experimental group will receive training through a smartphone-based brain training program using the Lumosity app, as well as aerobic exercise on a bicycle ergometer for 18 sessions other days for 6 weeks, 3 times per week, every session for 40 minutes (20 minutes aerobic training on a stationary bicycle ergometer followed by 20 minutes for Lumosity training application on the smartphone).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Both males and females
• Patients aged 30-75 years
• Spasticity grade (1 to 1+) based on the modified Ashworth scale (MAS)
• Patients with CVA Education level: matriculation
• at least Single-event stroke patients,
• with a post-stroke duration of 3 to 18 months.
• Mild to moderate cognitive impairment with a score between 10-25 on MOCA

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with a history of recurrent stroke or hemiparesis caused by conditions other than stroke.
• Patients with severe cardiovascular issues (e.g., unstable angina, severe coronary artery disease, or untreated congestive heart failure).
• Patients with dementia, depression, visual or auditory impairments, and other neurological conditions (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease) affecting cognition.
• Individuals on medications known to affect cognitive function.
• Patients with low educational levels (illiterate).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Umber un Nisa, MS-NMPT*

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International Unversity

Locations

Railway General Hospital

Islamabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Pakistan

Central Contacts

Arshad Nawaz Malik, PhD Rehab

Role: CONTACT

arshad.nawaz@riphah.edu.pk

03334503754

Facility Contacts

Umber un Nisa, MS-NMPT*

Role: primary

Khanumber70@gmail.com

0307-1715842

Other Identifiers

02165/ Umber un Nisa

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id