Healthy Older AdultsNCT07591194
The Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Exergaming Combined With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Executive Functions in Healthy Older Adults
A study testing transcranial direct current stimulation, VR-exergaming and VR-video in people with Healthy Older Adults, run by Beijing Sport University.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the acute effects of immersive virtual reality (VR)-based exergaming combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on executive functions in healthy older adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Older Adults
- What is being tested?
- transcranial direct current stimulation, VR-exergaming and VR-video
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 24 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 20 May 2026to 25 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 60 to 70 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 60 to 70 years old; (2) Right-handed (Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (Chinese version) > 40); (3) Normal overall cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Beijing version) ≥ 26).
Who cannot join
- Musculoskeletal injury; (2) neurological/neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease); (3) history of brain infections or cerebrovascular diseases; (4) psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, schizophrenia); (5) unstable or chronic medical conditions (e.g., cardiac disease, seizures (personal/family history)); (6) hearing and visual impairments (e.g., color blindness and conditions severely affecting the ability to see the screen or distinguish colors); (7) metal implants (e.g., pacemakers); (8) brain stimulation or exercise training intervention within the past 6 months; (9) failure to meet safety criteria for brain stimulation (e.g., pregnancy)
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the acute effects of immersive virtual reality (VR)-based exergaming combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on executive functions in healthy older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does VR-based exergaming combined with tDCS improve executive function performance in healthy older adults compared with a control condition?
- Do single interventions (tDCS alone or VR-based exergaming alone) improve executive function performance compared with the control condition?
- Does the combined intervention produce greater improvements in executive function performance than either intervention alone? Researchers will compare four intervention conditions to evaluate differences in executive function performance following each session.
Read more
Participants will:
- Complete four intervention sessions in a randomized crossover sequence, with a washout period of at least 7 days between sessions
- Receive the following intervention conditions:
- sham-tDCS + VR-video
- tDCS + VR-video
- sham-tDCS + VR-exergaming
- tDCS + VR-exergaming
- Complete executive function assessments immediately after each session, including:
- the Flanker task for inhibitory control
- the more-odd shifting task for cognitive flexibility
- the Corsi block-tapping task for working memory
- Conditions
- Healthy Older Adults
- Being tested
- transcranial direct current stimulation, sham transcranial direct current stimulation, VR-exergaming, VR-video
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
transcranial direct current stimulationDevice
The anodal electrode is positioned over the left DLPFC (F3), and the cathodal electrode is placed over the right supraorbital area. The transcranial direct current stimulation is applied for 20 min at an intensity of 2 mA, with 15 s ramp-up and 15 s ramp-down.
sham transcranial direct current stimulationDevice
The anodal electrode is positioned over the left DLPFC (F3), and the cathodal electrode is placed over the right supraorbital area. Sham stimulation is applied in the same locations for 20 min with only 15s ramp-up and 15s ramp-down stimulation to mimic the sensory experience of real stimulation.
VR-exergamingBehavioural
For the VR-exergaming condition, participants engage in an interactive rhythm-based fitness game called PowerBeatsVR. It immerses participants in a virtual exercise environment accompanied by dynamic musical beats, with punching and tracking movements. The VR-exergaming consisted of four cycles of 3.5 min, each separated by a 2-min rest interval, for a total duration of 20 min
VR-videoBehavioural
For the VR-video condition, participants view a mild plant documentary called Journey of Chinese Plants through the same VR headset. VR-video intervention consisted of four cycles of 3.5 min, each separated by a 2-min rest interval, for a total duration of 20 min
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sham tDCS + VR-video | Sham comparator | Participants receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation and then watch a virtual reality video. Receives: Device: sham transcranial direct current stimulation; Behavioral: VR-video |
| tDCS + VR-video | Experimental | Participants receive active transcranial direct current stimulation and then watch a virtual reality video. Receives: Device: transcranial direct current stimulation; Behavioral: VR-video |
| Sham tDCS + VR-exergaming | Experimental | Participants receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation combined with immersive virtual reality-based exergaming. Receives: Device: sham transcranial direct current stimulation; Behavioral: VR-exergaming |
| tDCS + VR-exergaming | Experimental | Participants receive active transcranial direct current stimulation combined with immersive virtual reality-based exergaming. Receives: Device: transcranial direct current stimulation; Behavioral: VR-exergaming |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Reaction time and accuracy of inhibitory control are assessed by the Flanker task.
Measured: Immediately after the intervention.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Reaction time and accuracy of cognitive flexibility are assessed by more odds shifting task.
Measured: Immediately after the intervention.
Scores of working memory are assessed by the Corsi Block-Tapping Task
Measured: Immediately after the intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 May 2026
- Study start20 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion25 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion25 Jun 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy Older AdultsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Sport University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07591194
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024458H
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 9 May 2026
- Last updated
- 15 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Exergaming Combined With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Executive Functions in Healthy Older Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07591194
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024458H
- Conditions
- Healthy Older Adults
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Sport UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 25 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 25 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the acute effects of immersive virtual reality (VR)-based exergaming combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on executive functions in healthy older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does VR-based exergaming combined with tDCS improve executive function performance in healthy older adults compared with a control condition?
- Do single interventions (tDCS alone or VR-based exergaming alone) improve executive function performance compared with the control condition?
- Does the combined intervention produce greater improvements in executive function performance than either intervention alone? Researchers will compare four intervention conditions to evaluate differences in executive function performance following each session.
Participants will:
- Complete four intervention sessions in a randomized crossover sequence, with a washout period of at least 7 days between sessions
- Receive the following intervention conditions:
- sham-tDCS + VR-video
- tDCS + VR-video
- sham-tDCS + VR-exergaming
- tDCS + VR-exergaming
- Complete executive function assessments immediately after each session, including:
- the Flanker task for inhibitory control
- the more-odd shifting task for cognitive flexibility
- the Corsi block-tapping task for working memory
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sham tDCS + VR-video | Sham comparator | Device: sham transcranial direct current stimulation, Behavioral: VR-videoParticipants receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation and then watch a virtual reality video. |
| tDCS + VR-video | Experimental | Device: transcranial direct current stimulation, Behavioral: VR-videoParticipants receive active transcranial direct current stimulation and then watch a virtual reality video. |
| Sham tDCS + VR-exergaming | Experimental | Device: sham transcranial direct current stimulation, Behavioral: VR-exergamingParticipants receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation combined with immersive virtual reality-based exergaming. |
| tDCS + VR-exergaming | Experimental | Device: transcranial direct current stimulation, Behavioral: VR-exergamingParticipants receive active transcranial direct current stimulation combined with immersive virtual reality-based exergaming. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Age between 60 to 70 years old; (2) Right-handed (Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (Chinese version) > 40); (3) Normal overall cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Beijing version) ≥ 26).
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Musculoskeletal injury; (2) neurological/neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease); (3) history of brain infections or cerebrovascular diseases; (4) psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, schizophrenia); (5) unstable or chronic medical conditions (e.g., cardiac disease, seizures (personal/family history)); (6) hearing and visual impairments (e.g., color blindness and conditions severely affecting the ability to see the screen or distinguish colors); (7) metal implants (e.g., pacemakers); (8) brain stimulation or exercise training intervention within the past 6 months; (9) failure to meet safety criteria for brain stimulation (e.g., pregnancy)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| transcranial direct current stimulationThe anodal electrode is positioned over the left DLPFC (F3), and the cathodal electrode is placed over the right supraorbital area. The transcranial direct current stimulation is applied for 20 min at an intensity of 2 mA, with 15 s ramp-up and 15 s ramp-down. | Device | tDCS + VR-exergaming, tDCS + VR-video |
| sham transcranial direct current stimulationThe anodal electrode is positioned over the left DLPFC (F3), and the cathodal electrode is placed over the right supraorbital area. Sham stimulation is applied in the same locations for 20 min with only 15s ramp-up and 15s ramp-down stimulation to mimic the sensory experience of real stimulation. | Device | Sham tDCS + VR-exergaming, Sham tDCS + VR-video |
| VR-exergamingFor the VR-exergaming condition, participants engage in an interactive rhythm-based fitness game called PowerBeatsVR. It immerses participants in a virtual exercise environment accompanied by dynamic musical beats, with punching and tracking movements. The VR-exergaming consisted of four cycles of 3.5 min, each separated by a 2-min rest interval, for a total duration of 20 min | Behavioural | Sham tDCS + VR-exergaming, tDCS + VR-exergaming |
| VR-videoFor the VR-video condition, participants view a mild plant documentary called Journey of Chinese Plants through the same VR headset. VR-video intervention consisted of four cycles of 3.5 min, each separated by a 2-min rest interval, for a total duration of 20 min | Behavioural | Sham tDCS + VR-video, tDCS + VR-video |
Primary outcome
Reaction time and accuracy of inhibitory control are assessed by the Flanker task.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention.
2 secondary outcomes
Reaction time and accuracy of cognitive flexibility are assessed by more odds shifting task.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention.
Scores of working memory are assessed by the Corsi Block-Tapping Task
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 May 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing transcranial direct current stimulation, VR-exergaming and VR-video in people with Healthy Older Adults, run by Beijing Sport University.
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 1 inclusion and 1 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Mengdie Hu (86+13011852188, mengdie.hu0818@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Reaction time and accuracy of inhibitory control are assessed by the Flanker task. (time frame: Immediately after the intervention.). 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 15 May 2026.