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AgingNCT04323163

Yoga, Aerobic and Stretching Exercise Effects on Neurocognition

A study testing Physical Activity in people with Aging and Cognitive Decline, run by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 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 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… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 55 to 79 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Aging, Cognitive Decline
What is being tested?
Physical Activity
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
145 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
6 Jan 2021to 31 May 2024
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 55 to 79 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 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
Show all 11Show fewer
  • 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

Who cannot join

  • 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)
Show all 11Show fewer
  • 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

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Urbana, Illinois, 61801

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Yoga, Aerobic and Stretching Exercise Effects on Neurocognitive Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Being tested
Physical Activity
Medical subject headings
Cognitive Dysfunction

What participants receive

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

Study groups in NCT04323163
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Yoga GroupExperimentalParticipants 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.
Receives: Behavioral: Physical Activity
Aerobic GroupExperimentalTrained 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.
Receives: Behavioral: Physical Activity
Stretching Toning GroupActive comparatorParticipants 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.
Receives: Behavioral: Physical Activity

What is being measured

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

  1. Change in cognitive function

    A comprehensive neuropsychological battery (part of the NIH toolbox) will be used that assesses different domains of cognitive function, including working memory, attention and executive function.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Change in brain structure

    MRI will be used to measure brain volume.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months

  2. Change in brain function

    Functional MRI will be used to measure changes in brain activity during resting state.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months

Timeline

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

  1. First posted26 Mar 2020
  2. Study start6 Jan 2021
  3. Primary completion31 Aug 2023
  4. Study completion31 May 2024

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
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
145 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04323163
Sponsor's protocol ID
20714
Status last verified
Jul 2024
First submitted
18 Mar 2020
Last updated
31 Jul 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Given the pilot nature of the study and limited study outcomes, we do not expect to receive requests from other researchers to analyze our datasets. The primary and secondary outcomes and exploratory biomarker data will be published by the Investigative team.

Publications

  • 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.

    PubMed 37244365

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Physical Activity in people with Aging and Cognitive Decline, run by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 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 11 inclusion and 11 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 31 Jul 2024. 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?

Change in cognitive function (time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04323163, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 31 Jul 2024.

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