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Alteration of Cognitive FunctionEXACTNCT02958735

Exercise and Cognition Trials

A study testing Exercise Challenge in people with Alteration of Cognitive Function, run by Johns Hopkins University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether an acute bout of exercise may temporarily enhance cognitive function (such as memory or attention span) by measuring behavioral performance on cognitive tests, as well as expression of hormones in circulation associated with brain plasticity and stress. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Alteration of Cognitive Function
What is being tested?
Exercise Challenge
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Aug 2016to 2 May 2017
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Body mass index (BMI) of between 18.5 and 35 kg/m2
  • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
  • No contraindications to participation in moderate to hard intensity physical activity

Who cannot join

  • Self-report of alcohol or substance abuse in the past year or current treatment
  • Women who are pregnant or nursing
  • BMI of < 18.5 or > 35 kg/m2
  • Diabetes mellitus. Subjects will be excluded for diabetes even if controlled by medications
  • Cigarette smoking in the previous 12 weeks
  • Elevated blood pressure (BP) defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg
  • Self-report of cardiovascular disease, cancer, renal disease, and other serious conditions that could be exacerbated by moderate intensity physical activity.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21224

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Human Performance: Role of Acute Exercise in Enhancing Cognitive Function

The purpose of this study is to determine whether an acute bout of exercise may temporarily enhance cognitive function (such as memory or attention span) by measuring behavioral performance on cognitive tests, as well as expression of hormones in circulation associated with brain plasticity and stress.

Read the detailed description

This is a randomized experiment consisting of three visits for each participant. Participants are determined to be eligible beforehand during a phone screening, in which the various study inclusions and exclusions are determined and the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone 2015 (PARQ) is administered.

In the first visit, various anthropometric data are collected from participants, such as height, weight, and waist and hip circumference. The participants' blood pressure is also checked for hypertension. The participants are given Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scans to determine total body composition (bone, fat, and fat-free mass) If the participant is female, a urine analysis to determine pregnancy is required during the visit before the DEXA to ensure safety. Participants are given the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire to assess habitual activity levels. The participants' muscle strength is also measured using the Biodex System 3, an isokinetic dynamometer. The participants then undergo a maximal stress test on a treadmill integrated with a Cardinal Health Metabolic/ECG cart using a modified Balke protocol, beginning at 3 mph, 0% grade, and increasing 2.5% grade every 3 minutes. The ECG component of the metabolic cart will be used for continuous heart rate monitoring as part of the fitness assessment. Cardiorespiratory parameters (VO2, ventilation, respiratory rate) will also be measured throughout the test. Blood pressure is measured during the last 30 seconds of each exercise stage and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) using the Borg 6 to 20 scale is obtained during each stage. Subjects are urged to give a maximal effort and are pushed until volitional fatigue.

In the second visit, participants are first given a series of cognitive tests designed to quantify such cognitive faculties as visual short-term memory, selective attention, processing speed, and verbal fluency. These tests consist of seeing simple images on a computer screen, such as a series of colored shapes, and responding using a keypad. A blood sample is also collected from the participants to serve as a baseline. The subject is then randomized to one of three groups: the first group rests for 30 minutes; the second group walks on the treadmill at a mild intensity, defined as maintaining 60% of the heart rate observed during the max VO2 from the first visit; the last group walks on the treadmill at a hard intensity, defined as maintaining 80% of the heart rate observed during the max VO2 from the first visit. The subjects then undergo a second blood draw after cooling down, followed immediately by another round of the same cognitive tests. An hour after finishing the exercise intervention, the same procedure of blood draw followed by cognitive tests is repeated, and an hour after that it is repeated again.

The third visit must be about 24 hours after the previous visit. Participants have blood drawn and one final round of cognitive tests.

Being tested
Exercise Challenge
Keywords
exercise, cognition, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor 1, cortisol
Medical subject headings
Motor Activity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Exercise ChallengeOther

    Participants randomized to an exercise condition will perform treadmill exercise for 30 minutes. Participants will self-select a comfortable walking speed. The treadmill grade will be adjusted to elicit and maintain the target heart rate.

Study groups in NCT02958735
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
RestNo interventionParticipants randomly assigned to this arm rest quietly for thirty minutes instead of participating in the exercise challenge.
Mild ExerciseExperimentalParticipants randomly assigned to this arm are made to maintain a heart rate equivalent to 60% of the heart rate observed when VO2 max was achieved in the maximal stress test from the first visit.
Receives: Other: Exercise Challenge
Hard ExerciseExperimentalParticipants randomly assigned to this arm are made to maintain a heart rate equivalent to 80% of the heart rate observed when VO2 max was achieved in the maximal stress test from the first visit.
Receives: Other: Exercise Challenge

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. visual short-term memory questionnaire

    participants are shown sets of colored squares briefly and must pick out the square that changed color after a delay, scored on accuracy (0-100%)

    Measured: baseline

  2. visual short-term memory questionnaire

    participants are shown sets of colored squares briefly and must pick out the square that changed color after a delay, scored on accuracy (0-100%)

    Measured: up to 5 minutes post intervention

  3. visual short-term memory questionnaire

    participants are shown sets of colored squares briefly and must pick out the square that changed color after a delay, scored on accuracy (0-100%)

    Measured: 1 hour after intervention

  4. visual short-term memory questionnaire

    participants are shown sets of colored squares briefly and must pick out the square that changed color after a delay, scored on accuracy (0-100%)

    Measured: 2 hours after intervention

  5. visual short-term memory questionnaire

    participants are shown sets of colored squares briefly and must pick out the square that changed color after a delay, scored on accuracy (0-100%)

    Measured: 24 hours after baseline

  6. visual long-term memory questionnaire

    participants encode images in a cover task at baseline, scored on accuracy (0-100%)

    Measured: 24 hours after baseline

  7. verbal fluency

    participants are asked to name as many words as they can that begin with a certain letter within 1 minute, scored on number of appropriate words

    Measured: baseline

  8. verbal fluency

    participants are asked to name as many words as they can that begin with a certain letter within 1 minute, scored on number of appropriate words

    Measured: up to 5 minutes post intervention

  9. verbal fluency

    participants are asked to name as many words as they can that begin with a certain letter within 1 minute, scored on number of appropriate words

    Measured: 1 hour after intervention

  10. verbal fluency

    participants are asked to name as many words as they can that begin with a certain letter within 1 minute, scored on number of appropriate words

    Measured: 2 hours after intervention

  11. verbal fluency

    participants are asked to name as many words as they can that begin with a certain letter within 1 minute, scored on number of appropriate words

    Measured: 24 hours after baseline

  12. cortisol in circulation

    in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: baseline

  13. cortisol in circulation

    in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: up to 5 minutes post intervention

  14. cortisol in circulation

    in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: 1 hour after intervention

  15. cortisol in circulation

    in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: 2 hours after intervention

  16. cortisol in circulation

    in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: 24 hours after baseline

  17. igf-1 in circulation

    insulin-like growth factor 1 in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: baseline

  18. igf-1 in circulation

    insulin-like growth factor 1 in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: up to 5 minutes post intervention

  19. igf-1 in circulation

    insulin-like growth factor 1 in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: 1 hour after intervention

  20. igf-1 in circulation

    insulin-like growth factor 1 in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: 2 hours after intervention

  21. igf-1 in circulation

    insulin-like growth factor 1 in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: 24 hours after baseline

  22. bdnf in circulation

    brain-derived neurotrophic factor in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: baseline

  23. bdnf in circulation

    brain-derived neurotrophic factor in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: up to 5 minutes post intervention

  24. bdnf in circulation

    brain derived neurotrophic factor in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: 1 hour after intervention

  25. bdnf in circulation

    brain-derived neurotrophic factor in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: 2 hours after intervention

  26. bdnf in circulation

    brain-derived neurotrophic factor in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)

    Measured: 24 hours after baseline

  27. general executive functioning as assessed by the stroop test questionnaire

    participants must identify the color of various words on the screen irrespective of their meaning, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: baseline

  28. general executive functioning as assessed by the stroop test questionnaire

    participants must identify the color of various words on the screen irrespective of their meaning, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: up to 5 minutes post intervention

  29. general executive functioning as assessed by the stroop test questionnaire

    participants must identify the color of various words on the screen irrespective of their meaning, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: 1 hour after intervention

  30. general executive functioning as assessed by the stroop test questionnaire

    participants must identify the color of various words on the screen irrespective of their meaning, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: 2 hours after intervention

  31. general executive functioning as assessed by the stroop test questionnaire

    participants must identify the color of various words on the screen irrespective of their meaning, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: 24 hours after baseline

  32. general executive functioning as assessed by the flanker task questionnaire

    participants must identify the orientation of a central arrow while ignoring those of other arrows on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: baseline

  33. general executive functioning as assessed by the flanker task questionnaire

    participants must identify the orientation of a central arrow while ignoring those of other arrows on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: up to 5 minutes post intervention

  34. general executive functioning as assessed by the flanker task questionnaire

    participants must identify the orientation of a central arrow while ignoring those of other arrows on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: 1 hour after intervention

  35. general executive functioning as assessed by the flanker task questionnaire

    participants must identify the orientation of a central arrow while ignoring those of other arrows on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: 2 hours after intervention

  36. general executive functioning as assessed by the flanker task questionnaire

    participants must identify the orientation of a central arrow while ignoring those of other arrows on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: 24 hours after baseline

  37. general executive functioning as assessed by the irrelevant capture task questionnaire

    participants must identify a set of symbols as either letters or numbers while ignoring distracting images that flash on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: baseline

  38. general executive functioning as assessed by the irrelevant capture task questionnaire

    participants must identify a set of symbols as either letters or numbers while ignoring distracting images that flash on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: up to 5 minutes post intervention

  39. general executive functioning as assessed by the irrelevant capture task questionnaire

    participants must identify a set of symbols as either letters or numbers while ignoring distracting images that flash on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: 1 hour after intervention

  40. general executive functioning as assessed by the irrelevant capture task questionnaire

    participants must identify a set of symbols as either letters or numbers while ignoring distracting images that flash on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: 2 hours after intervention

  41. general executive functioning as assessed by the irrelevant capture task questionnaire

    participants must identify a set of symbols as either letters or numbers while ignoring distracting images that flash on the screen, scored based on accuracy (0-100%) and reaction time in milliseconds

    Measured: 24 hours after baseline

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. total and regional bone mass

    as assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, in grams per square centimeter (g/cm2)

    Measured: baseline

  2. total and regional fat and fat-free mass

    as assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan in grams per square centimeter (g/cm2)

    Measured: baseline

  3. habitual activity levels

    as assessed by Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity questionnaire, possible scores are: Active, Under Active Regular, Under Active Regular- Light Activities, Under Active, Sedentary

    Measured: baseline

  4. muscle strength

    as measured by isokinetic testing using the Biodex System 3

    Measured: baseline

  5. cardiorespiratory endurance

    as assessed by maximal stress test, represented by heart rate at maximal oxygen uptake

    Measured: baseline

  6. body mass index (BMI)

    measured in kilograms per square meter (kg/m2)

    Measured: baseline

  7. waist-to-hip ratio

    Measured: baseline

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 Nov 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study start1 Aug 2016
  3. Primary completion2 May 2017
  4. Study completion2 May 2017

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
60 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02958735
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB00076336
Acronym
EXACT
Status last verified
Aug 2017
First submitted
31 Oct 2016
Last updated
18 Aug 2017
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Exercise Challenge in people with Alteration of Cognitive Function, run by Johns Hopkins University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Aug 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

visual short-term memory questionnaire (time frame: baseline). The study lists 41 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Aug 2017.

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