Walking on Cognitive Function in Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Project

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Cognitive Impairment, Mild

In brief

Background: Many studies suggest physical activity reduces risk of dementia and improves global cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Using commercial wearable technology to measure daily steps is feasible in this population. Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore whether 12 weeks of increased physical activity improved cognitive function in individuals with MCI. A wearable activity tracker was used to measure participants' daily steps as a quantifiable measure of daily activity level. Design: This was a one-group pretest-posttest study. Setting: Established memory clinic patients within a neurology department in Northern California during 2019. Participants: 17 enrolled and 14 included for data analysis. There were 7 females and 7 males whose mean age was 76.21 (SD 2.69). 12 participants were White, which reflected the clinic population. Intervention: Participants were asked to wear an activity tracker for approximately 12 hours a day for 12 weeks and to increase their physical activity as much as possible. They were provided twice a month telephone support. Measurements: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to measure pretest-posttest cognitive function. Timed Up and Go (TUG) was used to assess fall risk at enrollment. Cumulative step count for the study period was measured with an activity tracker.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04498195

Run by

Samuel Merritt University

People needed

17

Starts

2019-01-07

Expected to finish

2019-12-06

Last updated by the study team

2020-08-04

Who can join

Age: 60 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Participants had a score of 0.5 on the Clinical Dementia Rating and are on a stable medication regimen for 3 months prior to enrollment.

You may not qualify if…

• a diagnosis of dementia; receiving chemotherapy; unstable chronic diseases; surgery with general anesthesia in the prior 3 months; MRI-confirmed brain damage from trauma, stroke, or other neurological disorder; a myocardial infarction < 1 year; a serious or non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture; TUG ≥ 12 seconds; MoCA score >26 or <16; already using a wearable activity tracker; lacked access to the internet; or non-English speaking.

Where it is running

• Sutter Medical Neuroscience — Sacramento, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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