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Inspiring Seniors Towards Exercise Promotion to Protect Cognition

Sponsored by Emory University

About this study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the benefits of beat-accented music stimulation (BMS) for behavioral changes of physical activity (PA) in older adults with subjective memory complaints. Specific Aims are to determine (1) whether BMS beneficially influences PA behaviors and psychological responses to PA in older adults for 6 months, and (2) whether exercising with BMS differently influences physical and cognitive functioning as well as quality of life in older adults. To test the effects of BMS on PA, participants will be randomly assigned to an exercise intervention that either includes BMS or does not include BMS. Participants will attend a supervised group strength training (ST) (30 minutes per day) and aerobic exercise (AE) (30-50 minutes per day) session for 3 days per week for the first 2 months, 1 day per week for the next 2 months (while encouraging participants to independently perform both AE and ST on other days), and independently for the final 2 months (always with a goal of performing \>150minutes per week AE and 3 days per week of ST for 30 minutes per day).

Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous health benefits including improved muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness, cognitive functioning, and quality of life (QoL). Hence, national PA guidelines (PAG) have been disseminated to recommend regularly engaging in moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise (AE) and muscle-strengthening training (ST). However, adherence to the PAG steeply declines after ages 60-65,1-5 at the time when health benefits of PA become pronounced. Fewer than 20% of US older adults adhere to the national guidelines for both AE and ST. PA promotion is particularly urgent in older adults who are experiencing subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) and thereby have a heightened risk of Alzheimer's disease. SCC refers to self-perceived worsening of memory or ot…

Where this study is enrolling

Who can participate

Inclusion criteria

  • ✓Adults at least 65 years old.
  • ✓Ambulatory/capable of walking without pain or the use of assisted walking devices.
  • ✓Able to speak and read English.
  • ✓Healthy enough to exercise at moderate intensity with or without medical clearance by a primary care physician.
  • ✓Living in the community for the duration of the study.
  • ✓Having a reliable means of transportation.
  • ✓Having a safe place at home or a residential area (at least 6 feet by 6 feet of open space) for unsupervised exercise training.
  • ✓Being low-active (\< 60 min/week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and no strength training for the last 3 months).
  • ✓Having SCC, defined by the Cognitive Change Index (CCI) ≥ 15.

Exclusion criteria

  • ✕Concurrent diagnosis of neurological disorder (e.g., dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, etc.).
  • ✕Known exercise contraindications (uncontrolled hypertension, joint problems, diabetes, metabolic conditions etc.).
  • ✕Current cancer treatment.
  • ✕Stroke or neural impairment in the past 6 months.
  • ✕Hip/knee/spinal fracture or surgery in the past 6 months.
  • ✕Unable or unwilling to attend intervention classes.
  • ✕Currently participating in any other physical activity or fitness-related research study.
  • ✕Use of medication for cognitive impairment.
  • ✕Regularly drink \> 14 alcoholic beverages a week or current illicit drug use.
  • ✕Meet the threshold for cognitive impairment.
  • ✕Meet the threshold for clinical depression.
  • ✕Uncorrected hearing or visual impairments.
  • ✕Unable to understand the study procedures.
  • ✕One of the household members is participating in this study.

Only the research team can confirm whether you qualify. The intake questionnaire is the best way to find out.

Completing a questionnaire on Clinably does not enroll you in a clinical trial or confirm your eligibility. Only the research team can determine whether you qualify to participate. These results are based on the information you provide and are intended to help you start a conversation with the research team.

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.