NCT03289546

The Active Mind Study

Exploring Synergistic Effects Of Aerobic Exercise And Mindfulness Training On Cognitive Function In Older Adults: A Pilot, Proof Of Concept Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 38 (actual)
• Sponsor: The Miriam Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to explore whether physical exercise, mindfulness training, or both interventions together can improve cognitive function in individuals with multiple risk factors for the development of dementia in the future.

Detailed description

The investigators will test the feasibility and acceptability of a combined mindfulness training + aerobic training intervention, vs. either alone or none to improve cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairment. The investigators will also obtain estimates of effect sizes (and confidence intervals) on cognitive function. Preliminary analyses will be conducted to explore the mediating role of changes in aerobic capacity, physical activity, vascular risk factors, and mindfulness skills. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 3-, and 6- months since baseline.

Conditions

• Cognitive Impairment
• Cardiovascular Risk Factor

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness training	The mindfulness training protocol will include the following basic components of traditional mindfulness-based stress reduction training: 1) training in awareness of sensations ("body scan"); 2) training in the awareness of the sensations of breathing; 3) training in directing the attention to simple activities of daily life, and in recognizing when the attention is no longer focused on a specific object of attention; and 4) training in 'open awareness'.
BEHAVIORAL	Aerobic training	Exercise sessions will be led by CPR- and exercise-certified YMCA instructors and supervised by the senior research assistant. Sessions will consist of 10 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of aerobic exercise (walking on a treadmill), 10 minutes of cool down and stretching. Participants will receive heart monitors at the beginning of the study and will be trained by the senior research assistant to exercise targeting heart rates at 65-75% of the age predicted max heart rate or at an intensity of 12-13 in the Borg scale of the rate of perceived exertion.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-04-01
• Primary completion: 2018-11-30
• Completion: 2018-12-31
• First posted: 2017-09-21
• Last updated: 2019-02-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States