Cognitive DeclineNCT07913243
Small Monetary Incentives for Digital Cognitive Training Adherence in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
A study testing Digital cognitive training, Monetary incentive 0.2 CNY/day and Monetary incentive 0.5 CNY/day in people with Cognitive Decline and Dementia Prevention, run by Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing at 5 sites in China.
Trial summary
This study aims to find out whether small daily monetary rewards can help older adults living in the community to regularly complete digital cognitive training. Cognitive training is a promising way to maintain or improve memory and thinking skills in older adults, but many people find it hard to keep training every… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cognitive Decline, Dementia Prevention
- What is being tested?
- Digital cognitive training, Monetary incentive 0.2 CNY/day and Monetary incentive 0.5 CNY/day
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 110 participants
- Where
- 5 sitesChina
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2026to 30 Sep 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 60 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged ≥60 years, either sex.
- Owns and routinely uses a smartphone.
- Willing to sign written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Visual impairment that cannot be corrected to read training content on a smartphone screen.
- Hearing impairment that cannot be corrected to hear prompts from the training app.
- Severe upper-limb dysfunction preventing stable holding or operation of a smartphone.
- Unable to independently complete cognitive training after on-site instruction by researchers.
- Plans to move away from the local area or be away for a long period within the next 14 weeks, which may interrupt study participation.
- Concurrent participation in another cognitive intervention study.
Trial locations and contacts
5 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
5 sites in 1 country
China5 sites
Baizhifang Street Community, Xicheng District
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100053
Yanjun Ma, PhD, +86 18811511126, myj@xwhosp.org
Niujie Street Community, Xicheng District
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100053
Yanjun Ma, PhD, +86 18811511126, myj@xwhosp.org
Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100053
Yanjun Ma, PhD, +86 18811511126, myj@xwhosp.org
Fengcheng Town, Yangcheng County
Yangcheng, Shanxi, 048100
Yanjun Ma, PhD, +86 18811511126, myj@xwhosp.org
Yanli Town, Yangcheng County
Yangcheng, Shanxi, 048100
Yanjun Ma, PhD, +86 18811511126, myj@xwhosp.org
About this study
Official title: Effect of Small Monetary Incentives on Adherence to Digital Cognitive Training Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to find out whether small daily monetary rewards can help older adults living in the community to regularly complete digital cognitive training. Cognitive training is a promising way to maintain or improve memory and thinking skills in older adults, but many people find it hard to keep training every day. Small rewards, such as a few cents or one yuan per day, have been shown to encourage healthy behaviors in other areas. However, it is not clear whether such rewards are effective for cognitive training.
The investigators plan to enroll 110 adults aged 60 years or older who can use a smartphone. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: a control group that receives no money, and three groups that can earn up to 0.2, 0.5, or 1 yuan per day for completing daily cognitive training tasks. The training takes about 15-20 minutes per day and is done through a mobile app. The study lasts 12 weeks with training, followed by 4 weeks without rewards to see if participants continue training.
The main question is whether the groups that receive money complete more training days than the control group. The investigators will also examine whether higher rewards lead to better adherence, whether cognitive function improves, and whether the effects differ by income level. This study may provide a low-cost way to help older adults stay engaged in cognitive training and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Read the detailed description
Background:
Cognitive decline and dementia are major public health challenges in China. Digital cognitive training has been shown to improve or maintain cognitive function in older adults, but effectiveness depends heavily on adherence. Real-world adherence to cognitive training among community-dwelling older adults is often low. Small monetary incentives have been effective in promoting other health behaviors, such as physical activity and medication adherence, but evidence in the context of cognitive training is scarce, especially in China.
Objective:
The primary objective is to examine whether small daily monetary incentives can increase adherence to digital cognitive training among community-dwelling older adults. Secondary objectives include: (1) exploring the dose-response relationship between incentive amount (0, 0.2, 0.5, 1 yuan/day) and adherence; (2) evaluating the effect of the incentive program on cognitive function (MoCA and DiaMem); (3) assessing whether the effect differs by income level; and (4) observing whether training behavior is maintained after incentives are withdrawn.
Study Design:
This is a prospective, randomized, parallel-group, superiority trial with a multi-dose exploratory component. A total of 110 participants aged ≥60 years will be recruited from communities in Beijing and Yangcheng County, Shanxi Province. Participants will be stratified by personal monthly income (≥1000 yuan vs. <1000 yuan) and randomized in a 2:1:1:1 ratio to four groups: control (0 yuan/day, n=44), 0.2 yuan/day (n=22), 0.5 yuan/day (n=22), and 1 yuan/day (n=22).
Procedures:
After a 1-week run-in period to familiarize participants with the app, eligible participants will be randomized. The intervention period lasts 12 weeks (Weeks 2-13). All participants will be asked to complete daily cognitive training tasks using a mobile app ("Memory Fitness Coach") for about 15-20 minutes per day. The app automatically adjusts task difficulty to maintain approximately 80% accuracy. Participants in the incentive groups will receive a daily reward based on accuracy, up to the maximum amount for the assigned group (0.2, 0.5, or 1 yuan/day). Rewards are credited to the app account daily and can be withdrawn at any time. The control group receives no monetary reward.
After the 12-week intervention, a post-intervention assessment will be conducted (Week 14), including cognitive tests (MoCA and DiaMem). Then, incentives will be stopped, and a 4-week follow-up period (Weeks 14-17) will observe whether participants continue training.
Outcomes:
The primary outcome is the completion rate of cognitive training during the 12-week intervention period, defined as the number of days with all prescribed tasks completed divided by 84 days. Secondary outcomes include: stage-specific completion and participation rates; mean daily number of training tasks; weekly trends in training tasks; changes in MoCA and DiaMem scores from baseline to post-intervention; proportion of participants achieving high adherence (≥80%); recruitment rate; run-in completion rate; retention rate; researcher time input; and adverse events.
Data Analysis:
Primary analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. The primary outcome will be compared between the combined incentive groups and the control group using ANCOVA, adjusting for age, education, baseline MoCA score, and income stratum. Dose-response trends will be assessed using the Jonckheere-Terpstra test. Cognitive changes will be analyzed with ANCOVA. Linear mixed models will be used to analyze weekly trends in training tasks. Subgroup analysis will examine the interaction between intervention and income stratum. Missing baseline covariates will be handled by multiple imputation.
Expected Significance:
If effective, this study will provide evidence for a low-cost, scalable intervention to improve adherence to digital cognitive training in community-dwelling older adults, potentially informing public health policies and insurance coverage for preventive cognitive health services.
- Conditions
- Cognitive Decline, Dementia Prevention
- Being tested
- Digital cognitive training, Monetary incentive 0.2 CNY/day, Monetary incentive 0.5 CNY/day, Monetary incentive 1 CNY/day
- Keywords
- small monetary incentives, financial incentives, digital cognitive training, community-dwelling older adults, cognitive function, MoCA, DiaMem, dementia prevention, behavioral economics, Adherence
- Medical subject headings
- Cognitive Dysfunction
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Digital cognitive trainingBehavioural
Participants complete daily cognitive training tasks via a mobile application ("Memory Fitness Coach," developed by Changsha Wuwangwo Education Technology Co., Ltd.) for approximately 15-20 minutes per day. The tasks target attention, memory, executive function, and processing speed. Task difficulty is automatically adjusted to maintain an accuracy level of approximately 80%. Training is performed at home using the participant's own smartphone. All participants, including those in the control group, receive this intervention during Weeks 2-13.
Monetary incentive 0.2 CNY/dayBehavioural
Participants in this arm receive the same digital cognitive training as the control group, plus a daily monetary reward of up to 0.2 CNY after completing the daily cognitive training session. The actual reward is proportional to accuracy (e.g., 0.2 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. This incentive is provided only during the 12-week intervention period (Weeks 2-13).
Monetary incentive 0.5 CNY/dayBehavioural
Participants in this arm receive the same digital cognitive training as the control group, plus a daily monetary reward of up to 0.5 CNY after completing the daily cognitive training session. The actual reward is proportional to accuracy (e.g., 0.5 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. This incentive is provided only during the 12-week intervention period (Weeks 2-13).
Monetary incentive 1 CNY/dayBehavioural
Participants in this arm receive the same digital cognitive training as the control group, plus a daily monetary reward of up to 1 CNY after completing the daily cognitive training session. The actual reward is proportional to accuracy (e.g., 1 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. This incentive is provided only during the 12-week intervention period (Weeks 2-13).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control (0 CNY/day) | Active comparator | Participants receive digital cognitive training only, with no monetary incentive. They are asked to complete daily cognitive training tasks using the mobile app for about 15-20 minutes per day during the 12-week intervention period. Training completion is recorded automatically by the app. Receives: Behavioral: Digital cognitive training |
| 0.2 CNY/day | Experimental | Participants receive digital cognitive training plus a daily monetary incentive of up to 0.2 CNY. After completing all prescribed daily training tasks, they earn a reward proportional to their accuracy (e.g., 0.2 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. Receives: Behavioral: Digital cognitive training; Behavioral: Monetary incentive 0.2 CNY/day |
| 0.5 CNY/day | Experimental | Participants receive digital cognitive training plus a daily monetary incentive of up to 0.5 CNY. After completing all prescribed daily training tasks, they earn a reward proportional to their accuracy (e.g., 0.5 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. Receives: Behavioral: Digital cognitive training; Behavioral: Monetary incentive 0.5 CNY/day |
| 1 CNY/day | Experimental | Participants receive digital cognitive training plus a daily monetary incentive of up to 1 CNY. After completing all prescribed daily training tasks, they earn a reward proportional to their accuracy (e.g., 1 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. Receives: Behavioral: Digital cognitive training; Behavioral: Monetary incentive 1 CNY/day |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Adherence Rate to Digital Cognitive Training During the Intervention Period
The primary outcome is the completion rate of digital cognitive training during the 12-week intervention period (Weeks 2-13, 84 days). Completion rate is defined as the number of days on which all prescribed training tasks were completed divided by 84 days, multiplied by 100%. Participants who withdraw or do not train on a given day are counted as non-adherent, with the denominator remaining 84 days. The primary comparison is between the combined incentive groups and the control group.
Measured: Weeks 2-13 (84 days)
Secondary outcomes (11)
Stage-Specific Completion Rate of Digital Cognitive Training
Completion rate calculated separately for the run-in period (Week 1, 7 days), intervention period (Weeks 2-13, 84 days), and follow-up period (Weeks 14-17, 28 days). For each stage, completion rate = number of days with all prescribed tasks completed / total days in that stage × 100%.
Measured: Week 1; Weeks 2-13; Weeks 14-17
Stage-Specific Participation Rate
Participation rate calculated separately for the run-in, intervention, and follow-up periods. Participation rate = number of days with APP login and at least 1 completed training task / total days in that stage × 100%. This distinguishes "starting training" from "completing all tasks".
Measured: Week 1; Weeks 2-13; Weeks 14-17
Mean Daily Number of Training Tasks Completed
Average number of training tasks completed per day during the run-in, intervention, and follow-up periods, recorded automatically by the APP. This reflects training dose.
Measured: Week 1; Weeks 2-13; Weeks 14-17
Weekly Trend in Mean Daily Training Tasks
Weekly average number of daily training tasks from Week 1 to Week 17, analyzed using a linear mixed model to assess changes over time and differences between groups. Used to evaluate whether incentive effects decay and how training behavior changes after incentive withdrawal.
Measured: Weeks 1-17 (weekly)
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score
Change in MoCA total score from baseline to post-intervention (Week 14). MoCA score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. Administered on-site by trained researchers using a standardized protocol.
Measured: Baseline; Week 14
Change in DiaMem Score
Change in DiaMem score from baseline to post-intervention (Week 14). DiaMem score is the mean of three tests (one on-site and two home-based), ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function.
Measured: Baseline; Week 14
Proportion of Participants Achieving High Adherence (≥80%)
Proportion of participants in each group with an intervention-period completion rate ≥80%. Numerator: number of participants with completion rate ≥80%; denominator: number of randomized participants who did not withdraw informed consent.
Measured: Weeks 2-13
Recruitment Rate
Proportion of older adults in the target community who actively contacted the researcher, underwent preliminary screening, signed informed consent, and successfully downloaded the cognitive training APP. Numerator: number of such participants; denominator: total number of age-eligible (≥60 years) smartphone-using older adults in the community during the same period.
Measured: Recruitment period
Run-in Completion Rate
Proportion of participants who passed the 1-week run-in and could independently complete at least 2 days of cognitive training. Numerator: number of such participants; denominator: all participants who signed informed consent and downloaded the APP.
Measured: End of Week 1
Retention Rate
Proportion of participants who completed the 12-week intervention and received the final assessment. Completion of the 12-week intervention is defined as completing at least 1 day of training in each of the 12 weeks. Numerator: number completing and assessed; denominator: total randomized participants.
Measured: Week 14 (end of 12-week intervention)
Researcher Time Input per Participant
Total time in minutes spent by researchers on training, answering questions, active contact, and data verification for each participant from enrollment to the end of the intervention period. Used for cost estimation.
Measured: From enrollment to end of intervention (Week 13)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Nov 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cognitive DeclineStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Xuanwu Hospital, BeijingThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Stratified randomization by monthly income (≥1000 vs \<1000 CNY) with a 2:1:1:1 allocation ratio to four parallel groups: control (0 CNY/day), 0.2 CNY/day, 0.5 CNY/day, and 1 CNY/day. The intervention period lasts 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week follow-up after incentive withdrawal.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 110 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Changsha Wuwangwo Education Technology Co., Ltd., Changsha, Hunan, China
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yanjun Ma, Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07913243
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026_motivate_01
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because this study involves community-dwelling older adults and includes personal information and app-based behavioral data collected under informed consent that does not permit public data sharing. Ethical restrictions and participant privacy also prevent sharing. De-identified summary results will be published through academic papers and trial registry results.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Small Monetary Incentives on Adherence to Digital Cognitive Training Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07913243
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026_motivate_01
- Conditions
- Cognitive Decline, Dementia Prevention
- Keywords
- small monetary incentives, financial incentives, digital cognitive training, community-dwelling older adults, cognitive function, MoCA, DiaMem, dementia prevention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 110 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Xuanwu Hospital, BeijingUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Changsha Wuwangwo Education Technology Co., Ltd., Changsha, Hunan, China
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Nov 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 study aims to find out whether small daily monetary rewards can help older adults living in the community to regularly complete digital cognitive training. Cognitive training is a promising way to maintain or improve memory and thinking skills in older adults, but many people find it hard to keep training every day. Small rewards, such as a few cents or one yuan per day, have been shown to encourage healthy behaviors in other areas. However, it is not clear whether such rewards are effective for cognitive training.
The investigators plan to enroll 110 adults aged 60 years or older who can use a smartphone. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: a control group that receives no money, and three groups that can earn up to 0.2, 0.5, or 1 yuan per day for completing daily cognitive training tasks. The training takes about 15-20 minutes per day and is done through a mobile app. The study lasts 12 weeks with training, followed by 4 weeks without rewards to see if participants continue training.
The main question is whether the groups that receive money complete more training days than the control group. The investigators will also examine whether higher rewards lead to better adherence, whether cognitive function improves, and whether the effects differ by income level. This study may provide a low-cost way to help older adults stay engaged in cognitive training and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Detailed description
Background:
Cognitive decline and dementia are major public health challenges in China. Digital cognitive training has been shown to improve or maintain cognitive function in older adults, but effectiveness depends heavily on adherence. Real-world adherence to cognitive training among community-dwelling older adults is often low. Small monetary incentives have been effective in promoting other health behaviors, such as physical activity and medication adherence, but evidence in the context of cognitive training is scarce, especially in China.
Objective:
The primary objective is to examine whether small daily monetary incentives can increase adherence to digital cognitive training among community-dwelling older adults. Secondary objectives include: (1) exploring the dose-response relationship between incentive amount (0, 0.2, 0.5, 1 yuan/day) and adherence; (2) evaluating the effect of the incentive program on cognitive function (MoCA and DiaMem); (3) assessing whether the effect differs by income level; and (4) observing whether training behavior is maintained after incentives are withdrawn.
Study Design:
This is a prospective, randomized, parallel-group, superiority trial with a multi-dose exploratory component. A total of 110 participants aged ≥60 years will be recruited from communities in Beijing and Yangcheng County, Shanxi Province. Participants will be stratified by personal monthly income (≥1000 yuan vs. <1000 yuan) and randomized in a 2:1:1:1 ratio to four groups: control (0 yuan/day, n=44), 0.2 yuan/day (n=22), 0.5 yuan/day (n=22), and 1 yuan/day (n=22).
Procedures:
After a 1-week run-in period to familiarize participants with the app, eligible participants will be randomized. The intervention period lasts 12 weeks (Weeks 2-13). All participants will be asked to complete daily cognitive training tasks using a mobile app ("Memory Fitness Coach") for about 15-20 minutes per day. The app automatically adjusts task difficulty to maintain approximately 80% accuracy. Participants in the incentive groups will receive a daily reward based on accuracy, up to the maximum amount for the assigned group (0.2, 0.5, or 1 yuan/day). Rewards are credited to the app account daily and can be withdrawn at any time. The control group receives no monetary reward.
After the 12-week intervention, a post-intervention assessment will be conducted (Week 14), including cognitive tests (MoCA and DiaMem). Then, incentives will be stopped, and a 4-week follow-up period (Weeks 14-17) will observe whether participants continue training.
Outcomes:
The primary outcome is the completion rate of cognitive training during the 12-week intervention period, defined as the number of days with all prescribed tasks completed divided by 84 days. Secondary outcomes include: stage-specific completion and participation rates; mean daily number of training tasks; weekly trends in training tasks; changes in MoCA and DiaMem scores from baseline to post-intervention; proportion of participants achieving high adherence (≥80%); recruitment rate; run-in completion rate; retention rate; researcher time input; and adverse events.
Data Analysis:
Primary analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. The primary outcome will be compared between the combined incentive groups and the control group using ANCOVA, adjusting for age, education, baseline MoCA score, and income stratum. Dose-response trends will be assessed using the Jonckheere-Terpstra test. Cognitive changes will be analyzed with ANCOVA. Linear mixed models will be used to analyze weekly trends in training tasks. Subgroup analysis will examine the interaction between intervention and income stratum. Missing baseline covariates will be handled by multiple imputation.
Expected Significance:
If effective, this study will provide evidence for a low-cost, scalable intervention to improve adherence to digital cognitive training in community-dwelling older adults, potentially informing public health policies and insurance coverage for preventive cognitive health services.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Stratified randomization by monthly income (≥1000 vs <1000 CNY) with a 2:1:1:1 allocation ratio to four parallel groups: control (0 CNY/day), 0.2 CNY/day, 0.5 CNY/day, and 1 CNY/day. The intervention period lasts 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week follow-up after incentive withdrawal.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control (0 CNY/day) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Digital cognitive trainingParticipants receive digital cognitive training only, with no monetary incentive. They are asked to complete daily cognitive training tasks using the mobile app for about 15-20 minutes per day during the 12-week intervention period. Training completion is recorded automatically by the app. |
| 0.2 CNY/day | Experimental | Behavioral: Digital cognitive training, Behavioral: Monetary incentive 0.2 CNY/dayParticipants receive digital cognitive training plus a daily monetary incentive of up to 0.2 CNY. After completing all prescribed daily training tasks, they earn a reward proportional to their accuracy (e.g., 0.2 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. |
| 0.5 CNY/day | Experimental | Behavioral: Digital cognitive training, Behavioral: Monetary incentive 0.5 CNY/dayParticipants receive digital cognitive training plus a daily monetary incentive of up to 0.5 CNY. After completing all prescribed daily training tasks, they earn a reward proportional to their accuracy (e.g., 0.5 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. |
| 1 CNY/day | Experimental | Behavioral: Digital cognitive training, Behavioral: Monetary incentive 1 CNY/dayParticipants receive digital cognitive training plus a daily monetary incentive of up to 1 CNY. After completing all prescribed daily training tasks, they earn a reward proportional to their accuracy (e.g., 1 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Aged ≥60 years, either sex.
- Owns and routinely uses a smartphone.
- Willing to sign written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Visual impairment that cannot be corrected to read training content on a smartphone screen.
- Hearing impairment that cannot be corrected to hear prompts from the training app.
- Severe upper-limb dysfunction preventing stable holding or operation of a smartphone.
- Unable to independently complete cognitive training after on-site instruction by researchers.
- Plans to move away from the local area or be away for a long period within the next 14 weeks, which may interrupt study participation.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digital cognitive trainingParticipants complete daily cognitive training tasks via a mobile application ("Memory Fitness Coach," developed by Changsha Wuwangwo Education Technology Co., Ltd.) for approximately 15-20 minutes per day. The tasks target attention, memory, executive function, and processing speed. Task difficulty is automatically adjusted to maintain an accuracy level of approximately 80%. Training is performed at home using the participant's own smartphone. All participants, including those in the control group, receive this intervention during Weeks 2-13. | Behavioural | 0.2 CNY/day, 0.5 CNY/day, 1 CNY/day, Control (0 CNY/day) |
| Monetary incentive 0.2 CNY/dayParticipants in this arm receive the same digital cognitive training as the control group, plus a daily monetary reward of up to 0.2 CNY after completing the daily cognitive training session. The actual reward is proportional to accuracy (e.g., 0.2 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. This incentive is provided only during the 12-week intervention period (Weeks 2-13). | Behavioural | 0.2 CNY/day |
| Monetary incentive 0.5 CNY/dayParticipants in this arm receive the same digital cognitive training as the control group, plus a daily monetary reward of up to 0.5 CNY after completing the daily cognitive training session. The actual reward is proportional to accuracy (e.g., 0.5 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. This incentive is provided only during the 12-week intervention period (Weeks 2-13). | Behavioural | 0.5 CNY/day |
| Monetary incentive 1 CNY/dayParticipants in this arm receive the same digital cognitive training as the control group, plus a daily monetary reward of up to 1 CNY after completing the daily cognitive training session. The actual reward is proportional to accuracy (e.g., 1 CNY × accuracy). Rewards are credited daily to the app account and can be withdrawn at any time. This incentive is provided only during the 12-week intervention period (Weeks 2-13). | Behavioural | 1 CNY/day |
Primary outcome
Adherence Rate to Digital Cognitive Training During the Intervention Period
Time frame: Weeks 2-13 (84 days)
The primary outcome is the completion rate of digital cognitive training during the 12-week intervention period (Weeks 2-13, 84 days). Completion rate is defined as the number of days on which all prescribed training tasks were completed divided by 84 days, multiplied by 100%. Participants who withdraw or do not train on a given day are counted as non-adherent, with the denominator remaining 84 days. The primary comparison is between the combined incentive groups and the control group.
11 secondary outcomes
Stage-Specific Completion Rate of Digital Cognitive Training
Time frame: Week 1; Weeks 2-13; Weeks 14-17
Stage-Specific Participation Rate
Time frame: Week 1; Weeks 2-13; Weeks 14-17
Mean Daily Number of Training Tasks Completed
Time frame: Week 1; Weeks 2-13; Weeks 14-17
Weekly Trend in Mean Daily Training Tasks
Time frame: Weeks 1-17 (weekly)
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score
Time frame: Baseline; Week 14
Change in DiaMem Score
Time frame: Baseline; Week 14
Proportion of Participants Achieving High Adherence (≥80%)
Time frame: Weeks 2-13
Recruitment Rate
Time frame: Recruitment period
Run-in Completion Rate
Time frame: End of Week 1
Retention Rate
Time frame: Week 14 (end of 12-week intervention)
Researcher Time Input per Participant
Time frame: From enrollment to end of intervention (Week 13)
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 3 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because this study involves community-dwelling older adults and includes personal information and app-based behavioral data collected under informed consent that does not permit public data sharing. Ethical restrictions and participant privacy also prevent sharing. De-identified summary results will be published through academic papers and trial registry results.
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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.
5 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Digital cognitive training, Monetary incentive 0.2 CNY/day and Monetary incentive 0.5 CNY/day in people with Cognitive Decline and Dementia Prevention, run by Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing at 5 sites in China.
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 6 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 3 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 5 sites in China. 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?
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 Yanjun Ma, PhD (+86 18811511126, myj@xwhosp.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Adherence Rate to Digital Cognitive Training During the Intervention Period (time frame: Weeks 2-13 (84 days)). 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 3 Nov 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 3 Nov 2026.