Exercise Training to Improve Cognitive Function

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This project is assessing the feasibility of a novel home-based exercise intervention to improve episodic memory in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Detailed Description
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Background/Rationale: Alzheimer's disease (AD) afflicts nearly 6 million Americans, a number projected to grow in coming decades. AD is known to have a long preclinical phase in which pathophysiologic processes develop many years, even decades, before the onset of clinical symptoms. During this preclinical phase there is evidence of unremitting decline in cognitive function, particularly in episodic memory. Thus far, evidence of the efficacy of pharmacological interventions to slow this decline in cognitive function has been limited, leading to increasing interest in the utility of nonpharmacological interventions including exercise. Objective: The investigators propose to assess the feasibility of a novel home-based exercise intervention to improve episodic memory in Veterans with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: The investigators will estimate the difference between the intervention (n=30) and the control group (n=30) on 6-month change in episodic memory (Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, Wechsler Logical Memory Test) as well as the effect size, which will be used as a basis for sample size calculation for a proposed larger study. Participants will be male and female Veterans 50 years of age or older with amnestic MCI.

Official Title
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Exercise Training to Improve Cognitive Function

Conditions
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Mild Cognitive Impairment

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Structured exercise
* Behavioral: Health Education


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Amnestic MCI Ability to use a telephone without assistance Exclusion Criteria: Angina Pectoris History of myocardial infarction within 6 months History of ventricular dysrhythmia requiring current therapy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Exercise group<br>Structured exercise | Behavioral: Structured exercise<br>* Exercise instruction and encouragement<br>|
| Active Comparator: Control group<br>Health education | Behavioral: Health Education<br>* Provision of general information about a variety of health topics<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wechsler Logical Memory Task | A recall test involving 2 short stories | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test | A recall test involving a complex figure | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Mild cognitive impairment, exercise therapy, patient adherence