NCT03254381

The Effect of Exercise on Cognition in Older Adults At-risk for Diabetes: A Feasibility Pilot Study

The Effect of Resistance Training on Cognitive Function and Brain Health in Older Adults At-risk for Diabetes: A Feasibility Pilot Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (actual)
• Sponsor: Western University, Canada · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Older adults with type 2 diabetes experience cognitive decline and are at higher risk for developing dementia. Consequently, older adults at-risk for developing type 2 diabetes (based on body mass, glucose levels) are at higher risk for cognitive decline, and intervening at this point may prevent or delay the onset of such decline. One promising lifestyle intervention that has been shown to improve cognitive function in other populations is exercise. However, before investigators can examine whether exercise will improve cognitive function and brain health (structure and function) in this at-risk population, a feasibility pilot study is needed to determine whether a larger-scale trial would be viable.

Detailed description

Investigators will conduct a six-month randomized control trial (RCT) exercise intervention. Thirty older adults (aged 60-80) at-risk for diabetes will be randomly assigned into one of two groups: 1) Resistance training, or 2) Balance and Tone training (control). All participants will engage in three one-hour exercise classes per week. Once a month, a neutral assessor will visit the classes to evaluate the quality of the classes for participants. Assessments will be made at baseline, midpoint (three months) and trial completion (six months), and will include cognitive testing, health questionnaires, physical testing, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; to assess structural and functional brain changes). Throughout the study, investigators will examine data for trends in successful recruitment strategies and rates of recruitment and adherence to inform future clinical trials in this population. Research assistants (n = 30) in the study will complete an anonymous feedback survey upon completion of their volunteer term, to assist in improving the study for future participants and volunteers.

Conditions

• Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Resistance Training	Six months of thrice-weekly resistance training that will gradually progress in intensity. Each training session will be 60 minutes (10 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of training, and 10 minutes of cool-down). Classes will be group classes, with up to five participants in each.
BEHAVIORAL	Balance and Tone Training	Six months of thrice-weekly stretching and relaxation exercises. Each session will be 60 minutes. Classes will be group classes, with up to five participants in each.

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-11-02
• Primary completion: 2019-10-03
• Completion: 2019-10-03
• First posted: 2017-08-18
• Last updated: 2023-12-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada