Mild Cognitive ImpairmentES-MCINCT07822867
Effects of an Exercise Snacking Intervention on Cognitive Function in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Nationwide Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
A study testing Baduanjin-Based Exercise Snacking in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by Peking University.
Trial summary
This multicenter randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 240 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group or a control group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 51 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- What is being tested?
- Baduanjin-Based Exercise Snacking
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 240 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 15 Sep 2026to 15 Dec 2027
- 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 51 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 51 to 80 years, inclusive.
- Meet the NIA-AA core clinical criteria for probable amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), including all of the following:
- A self-reported and/or informant-reported history of progressive memory decline lasting for more than 6 months, confirmed by a study neurologist;
- Objective impairment in one or two cognitive domains on standardized neuropsychological testing, with memory impairment required;
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 18-26;
- Cognitive impairment does not result in significant functional dependence, with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) remaining normal or only mildly impaired;
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- Does not meet diagnostic criteria for any type of dementia.
- Able to independently use a smartphone and complete online check-ins, questionnaires, and other digital assessment tasks.
- Able to walk independently without assistance.
- No absolute contraindications to exercise, as determined by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire or by a study physician when exercise-related risks are considered manageable.
- Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
- A primary caregiver, if applicable, is informed of and supportive of study participation.
- Willing and able to comply with the 24-month follow-up schedule and complete all study assessments and intervention tasks.
- Participants taking cognition-enhancing or other cognition-active medications may be included, provided that the medication dose has remained stable for at least 1 month before screening.
Who cannot join
- Cognitive impairment attributable to other causes, including:
- Meeting clinical diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia;
- Cognitive impairment primarily attributable to another clearly identified condition, including neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, or multiple sclerosis), severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive episode with psychotic features), or systemic diseases (e.g., uncontrolled thyroid dysfunction or vitamin B12 deficiency).
- Severe or unstable medical conditions, including any of the following:
- Acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event within the previous 6 months, including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, or transient ischemic attack;
- New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV heart failure;
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- Poorly controlled hypertension, defined as resting blood pressure ≥180/110 mmHg;
- Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, defined as HbA1c >9.0%;
- Severe musculoskeletal disease resulting in inability to walk continuously for more than 100 meters;
- Severe respiratory disease;
- Malignancy with an estimated life expectancy of less than 2 years.
- Severe visual or hearing impairment that prevents the participant from adequately seeing assessment materials or hearing instructions despite the use of conventional corrective devices, such as glasses or hearing aids.
- High risk of falls, defined by any of the following:
- Two or more unprovoked falls during the previous year;
- A score of 0 on the balance component of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), indicating inability to stand with the feet together;
- Requirement for routine use of a walking aid or wheelchair.
- Current participation in another clinical trial that may affect cognitive function or physical activity.
- Planning to relocate outside the study area for more than 3 months during the next 24 months.
- Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, may compromise participant safety, data integrity, or adherence to the study protocol.
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
This multicenter randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 240 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group or a control group. The control group will receive routine health education, while the intervention group will receive a 24-week Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention in addition to routine health education. The exercise program consists of short bouts of Baduanjin practice distributed throughout the day to facilitate integration into daily life. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at weeks 12, 24, and 48. The primary outcome is global cognitive function. Secondary outcomes include specific cognitive domains, physical function, emotional status, sleep, and other health-related measures. Exercise adherence, physical activity, and safety will also be evaluated.
- Conditions
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Being tested
- Baduanjin-Based Exercise Snacking
- Keywords
- Exercise Snacking, Baduanjin, Cognitive Function, Physical Activity, Exercise Intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Cognitive Dysfunction, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Baduanjin-Based Exercise SnackingBehavioural
Participants will receive a 24-week Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention in addition to routine health education. The intervention consists of brief bouts of Baduanjin exercise distributed throughout the day and is adapted to the cognitive and physical characteristics of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Standardized instructional videos and digital support will be used to guide exercise performance and record intervention adherence. Exercise intensity and safety will be monitored throughout the intervention period.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Baduanjin Exercise Snacking Group | Experimental | Participants will receive a 24-week Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention in addition to routine health education. The intervention consists of brief, repeated bouts of Baduanjin exercise performed multiple times throughout the day. Standardized instructional videos and digital support will be provided to facilitate intervention delivery and adherence. Receives: Behavioral: Baduanjin-Based Exercise Snacking |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants will receive routine health education during the 24-week intervention period and will not receive the prescribed Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Baduanjin-Based Exercise Snacking |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score From Baseline to Week 24
Cognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a 30-point cognitive screening instrument covering multiple cognitive domains. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. The primary outcome is the change in MoCA score from baseline to Week 24.
Measured: Baseline and Week 24
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score From Baseline to Week 12
Cognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a 30-point cognitive screening instrument covering multiple cognitive domains. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. The outcome is the change in MoCA score from baseline to Week 12.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Sep 2026
- Study start15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Mild Cognitive ImpairmentStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 240 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Peking University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Xiaoli Wang, PhD, Principal investigator, Peking University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07822867
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB00001052-26132
- Acronym
- ES-MCI
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 14 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 16 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of an Exercise Snacking Intervention on Cognitive Function in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Nationwide Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07822867
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ES-MCI / IRB00001052-26132
- Conditions
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Keywords
- Exercise Snacking, Baduanjin, Cognitive Function, Physical Activity, Exercise Intervention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 240 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Peking UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 Sep 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.
This multicenter randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 240 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group or a control group. The control group will receive routine health education, while the intervention group will receive a 24-week Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention in addition to routine health education. The exercise program consists of short bouts of Baduanjin practice distributed throughout the day to facilitate integration into daily life. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at weeks 12, 24, and 48. The primary outcome is global cognitive function. Secondary outcomes include specific cognitive domains, physical function, emotional status, sleep, and other health-related measures. Exercise adherence, physical activity, and safety will also be evaluated.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Baduanjin Exercise Snacking Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Baduanjin-Based Exercise SnackingParticipants will receive a 24-week Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention in addition to routine health education. The intervention consists of brief, repeated bouts of Baduanjin exercise performed multiple times throughout the day. Standardized instructional videos and digital support will be provided to facilitate intervention delivery and adherence. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Baduanjin-Based Exercise SnackingParticipants will receive routine health education during the 24-week intervention period and will not receive the prescribed Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 51 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (14 listed)
- Aged 51 to 80 years, inclusive.
- Meet the NIA-AA core clinical criteria for probable amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), including all of the following:
- Able to independently use a smartphone and complete online check-ins, questionnaires, and other digital assessment tasks.
- Able to walk independently without assistance.
- No absolute contraindications to exercise, as determined by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire or by a study physician when exercise-related risks are considered manageable.
Key exclusion criteria (19 listed)
- Cognitive impairment attributable to other causes, including:
- Severe or unstable medical conditions, including any of the following:
- Severe visual or hearing impairment that prevents the participant from adequately seeing assessment materials or hearing instructions despite the use of conventional corrective devices, such as glasses or hearing aids.
- High risk of falls, defined by any of the following:
- Current participation in another clinical trial that may affect cognitive function or physical activity.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baduanjin-Based Exercise SnackingParticipants will receive a 24-week Baduanjin-based exercise snacking intervention in addition to routine health education. The intervention consists of brief bouts of Baduanjin exercise distributed throughout the day and is adapted to the cognitive and physical characteristics of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Standardized instructional videos and digital support will be used to guide exercise performance and record intervention adherence. Exercise intensity and safety will be monitored throughout the intervention period. | Behavioural | Baduanjin Exercise Snacking Group, Control Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score From Baseline to Week 24
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Cognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a 30-point cognitive screening instrument covering multiple cognitive domains. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. The primary outcome is the change in MoCA score from baseline to Week 24.
1 secondary outcome
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score From Baseline to Week 12
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
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 16 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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.
Xiaoli Wang, PhD principal investigator
Peking University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Baduanjin-Based Exercise Snacking in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by Peking 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 14 inclusion and 19 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 16 Sep 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. 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 Xiaoli Wang, PhD (+8619526438101, wang18249277812@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score From Baseline to Week 24 (time frame: Baseline and Week 24). 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 16 Sep 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 27 Oct 2026.