Internet-based Mind-Body Training for Brain Health

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Subjective Cognitive Decline

In brief

The goal of this study is to conduct a Stage I pilot study examining the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of an internet-based, asynchronous mindfulness-based stress reduction program (iMBSR) compared to an internet-based, asynchronous lifestyle education program (iLifeEd), for adults at-risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sixty middle-aged and older adults (aged 50 years or older) with subjective cognitive decline will be randomized to either an 8-week iMBSR program or an 8-week iLifeEd program control group, designed to provide adequate control for placebo effects. Behavioral, neuroimaging, and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) measures of mind-wandering will be administered to determine preliminary effects as a function of engagement in the iMBSR program. AD biomarkers will be examined at pre-training and post-training assessments.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07019402

Run by

Ohio State University

People needed

60

Starts

2025-06-13

Expected to finish

2026-07-09

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-27

Who can join

Age: 50 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Aged 50 years or greater
• Capable of attending screening and assessment sessions and the internet-based intervention modules
• Fluent English speaker
• Corrected (near and far) visual acuity of 20/40 or better
• Adequate hearing for experimental purposes
• Absence of diagnosed terminal illness
• Absence of diagnosed neurological disorders
• No history of psychotic disorder or substance abuse disorder diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist
• Absence of medication use that significantly alters brain activity
• No history of diagnosed learning disability that would interfere with the completion of the cognitive tasks
• Report elevated scores on the self-report Everyday Cognition (E-Cog)-39 subjective cognitive decline with normatively intact performance on cognitive testing (as determined by the neuropsychological battery)
• No evidence of mild cognitive impairment or dementia as assessed by the neuropsychological measures from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set OR inadequate self-reported performance of instrumental activities of daily living
• Ability to engage in light stretching/movement-based activities with or without assistive devices
• Absence of any MRI contraindications
• Not pregnant and not attempting to become pregnant
• Absence of self-reported claustrophobia
• No regular practice of meditation or yoga (defined as once or more per week) AND No previous participation in a structured mindfulness class (e.g., Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, intensive meditation retreat)
• Access to internet and at-home computer with a working microphone and video
• Not enrolled in other RCTs examining the efficacy of exercise training, cognitive rehabilitation, stress management, progressive muscle relaxation or other health-based rehabilitation

You may not qualify if…

• Aged less than 50 years
• Any physical or pragmatic limitation that prohibits attendance of screening or assessment sessions, or intervention engagement
• No fluency in English
• Corrected (near or far) visual acuity worse than 20/40
• Self-reported hearing impairment that would affect ability to hear the experimenter
• Diagnosis of terminal illness
• Presence of diagnosed neurological disorders such as: Alzheimer's disease, Vascular Dementia, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Fronto-Temporal Lobar Degeneration, Lewy Body Disease
• History of psychotic disorder or substance abuse disorder diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist
• Medication use that significantly alters brain activity
• History of diagnosed learning disability that would interfere with the completion of the cognitive tasks
• Does not report subjective cognitive decline AND/ OR does not perform in the normatively intact range on neuropsychological testing
• Evidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia OR inadequate self-reported performance of instrumental activities of daily living
• Any physical limitation or pragmatic limitation that prohibits attendance at assessment sessions and intervention modules with or without assistive devices
• Presence of MRI contraindications as assessed through the MRI screening form.
• Pregnant or attempting to become pregnant
• Self-reported claustrophobia
• Any regular practice of meditation or yoga (defined as once or more per week) OR Previous participation in a structured mindfulness class (e.g., Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, intensive meditation retreat)
• No access to internet or at-home computer with a working microphone and video
• Current enrollment in other RCTs examining the efficacy of exercise training, cognitive rehabilitation, stress management, progressive muscle relaxation or other health-based rehabilitation

Where it is running

• Department of Psychology — Columbus, Ohio, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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