Acute Effect of Exergaming Based Sitting Tai Chi

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Healthy

In brief

This study examines whether a single session of exergaming-based seated Tai Chi can acutely improve working memory, executive function, and prefrontal cortical efficiency in younger and older adults, compared with seated stretching. Using a within-subject crossover design, 40 participants aged 18-30 years and 60-75 years will complete both conditions in counterbalanced order on separate days. Cognitive performance will be assessed with Flanker and n-back tasks, while prefrontal activity will be recorded with fNIRS over the dorsolateral, ventrolateral, and frontopolar prefrontal cortex. Neural efficiency will be estimated by integrating task performance with task-evoked oxygenated hemoglobin responses. The Tai Chi intervention is a 40-minute seated, exergame-guided 12-form routine preceded and followed by brief warm-up and cool-down periods. The control condition is a time-matched seated stretching programme without Tai Chi-specific movements or game feedback. Both conditions will be delivered at light-to-moderate intensity and supervised for safety and adherence. The study tests whether acute exergaming-based seated Tai Chi produces greater post-intervention improvements in cognitive performance and more efficient prefrontal activation than stretching, and whether these effects differ by age group. Findings may clarify how a feasible seated mind-body exergame influences acute cognitive and neural responses across the adult lifespan.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT07546916
Run by: Hong Kong Metropolitan University
People needed: 40
Starts: 2026-06-01
Expected to finish: 2027-03-31
Last updated by the study team: 2026-04-23

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Are aged 18-30 years (young adult group) or 60-75 years (older adults)
Have no current regular participation (e.g., ≥1 session/week) in Tai Chi, martial arts, or other mind-body exercise (e.g., yoga or qigong) in the last 3-6 months
Have no self-reported or clinically documented history of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or other neurological (e.g., stroke) or psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) known to affect cognition
Score within the normal range on the Hong Kong version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (HK-MoCA) based on established age- and education-adjusted cutoffs
Are medically stable, with or without controlled chronic conditions (e.g., controlled hypertension or diabetes)
Are able to tolerate light-to-moderate seated exercise (Chinese version of Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire score = 0)
Have no significant sensory impairment (e.g., vision) not corrected by assistive devices (e.g., glasses)
Are not engaged in regular structured exercise involving moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (e.g., brisk walking, running, or racquet sports) more than two times per week over the preceding three months
Are able to communicate in Chinese (Moved from Exclusion for clarity)

You may not qualify if…

Have medical conditions that may interfere with safe participation, including pacemaker implantation or prosthetic devices
Have serious orthopedic or cardiovascular disorders that could affect participation in exergaming training
Have significant motor or balance impairment that would prevent performing basic seated arm and trunk movements
Are currently undergoing other clinical trials or structured exercise or cognitive training programmes >2 times/week during the preceding three months

Where it is running

Exergaming Research Centre, Hong Kong Metropolitan University — Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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