Prevention of the Age-Related Cognitive Impairment by Exercise and Mental Activity - Berlin Bleibt Fit

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The trial will evaluate the effects of frequent exercise and increased mental activity on the age-related impairment of cognitive function in elderly women. Furthermore, we will assess the effects of exercise and mental activity on the mood, physical performance and mental status of participants. We will also search for genetic factors which may be responsible of the observed outcomes.

Detailed Description
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Two-hundred and fifty-two women older than 70 years will be randomize to one of three groups. The first (exercise) will participate at an exercise program three times weekly for 90 minutes. The training will consist of an endurance and resistance training and will be carried out in a group. Participants in the second group (mental training) will take computer lessons, three times weekly for 90 minutes. Both interventions will be carried out for 26 weeks. Participants in the third group (control) will not participate at an structured intervention.

Official Title
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Randomized, Controlled Study About the Effects of an Exercise Program and Mental Activity on the Age-Associated Impairment of Cognitive Function

Conditions
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Cognition, Mood

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Exercise
* Behavioral: Mental activity


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All healthy women older than 70 years with sufficient knowledge of German can participate. Exclusion Criteria: Chronic mental disorders Chronic neurological, cardiological, pulmonary or renal diseases. Severe osteoarthritis Disorders which can be aggravated by exercise (arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, COLD). Cancer in current therapy Treatment with glucocorticoids or cytostatic drugs. Patients who received an organ transplantation Exercise-induced osteoarticular pain

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

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


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>Exercise | Behavioral: Exercise<br>* Endurance and resistence training, 90 minutes, 3 times weekly<br>|
| Experimental: 2<br>Mental training (computer lessons) | Behavioral: Mental activity<br>* Participation at computer lessons, 3 times weekly, 90 minutes each<br>|
| No Intervention: 3<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Improvement of cognitive and physical performance |  | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Cognitive function, Elderly, Exercise, Mental activity