NCT06828926

Project Gnosis: the Neurophysical and Psychosocial Health Outcomes of Tai Chi for Older Adults with Cognitive Concerns or Mild Cognitive Impairment

Project Gnosis: the Neural, Physical, and Psychosocial Processes and Health Outcomes of an 8-week Tai Chi Intervention in Older Adults with and Without Mild Cognitive Impairment

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Ohio University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in older adults is linked to muscle loss (sarcopenia) and can lead to dementia, with pain further impacting cognitive and physical performance. Tai Chi, a mind-body exercise, is recommended for managing MCI as it supports cognitive function, mood, and physical health. The investigators' first goal is to characterize the correlation of heart rate variability and cortical activity on cognitive function and the psychosocial correlates of pain interference and social isolation on cognitive function at baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks of Tai Chi). The second goal is to explain the role of sarcopenia and obesity in the relationship between pain interference and cognitive function. The investigators also want to examine the index of the predictive capacity regarding sarcopenia and obesity on cognitive function outcomes.

Conditions

• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
• Sarcopenia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Tai Chi	The Tai Chi program content is based on the Harvard Medical School (HMS) Guide to Tai Chi, developed by clinical scientist Dr. Peter M. Wayne. Each participant will receive a workbook that describes the philosophy, evidence, and practice of Tai Chi, along with a video series for home practice that features the exercises from the HMS Guide to Tai Chi program. The in-person classes will be led by the PI and delivered weekly over 8 weeks, with 75-minute sessions. The in-person and video series will include an introduction to the principles of practice and tips on establishing and maintaining a practice, followed by a series of warm-up exercises, Tai Chi movements, and cool-down exercises. The Tin-person (and offer virtual live sessions for those who cannot attend in-person) over 8 weeks, accompanied by a workbook and video-recorded practices to promote self-management.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-02-12
• Primary completion: 2026-02-01
• Completion: 2026-03-01
• First posted: 2025-02-17
• Last updated: 2025-02-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States