rTMS Combined With Aerobic Exercise for Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Comorbid Depression

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Depressive Symptoms

In brief

This study aims to evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and aerobic exercise on cognitive function and mental health in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and comorbid depression. Forty-five participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) rTMS alone, (2) rTMS combined with stationary cycling exercise, or (3) sham rTMS combined with stationary cycling exercise. Participants will receive 20 intervention sessions over a 5-week period (4 sessions per week). Outcomes, including cognitive function, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, life satisfaction, self-efficacy, and gait performance, will be assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the 5-week intervention, and at a 1-month follow-up. The findings may contribute to the development of evidence-based, non-pharmacological interventions for improving cognitive and mental health outcomes in older adults with MCI and comorbid depression.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07652775

Run by

Cheng-Hsin General Hospital

People needed

45

Starts

2026-03-03

Expected to finish

2027-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-17

Who can join

Age: 65 and older, up to 90. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Aged 65 to 90 years.
• Diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) according to established clinical criteria.
• Presence of depressive symptoms as determined by clinical assessment and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).
• Able to communicate and follow study instructions.
• Able to ambulate independently with or without an assistive device.
• Able to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if…

• Diagnosis of dementia.
• History of epilepsy or seizure disorder.
• Presence of metallic implants, pacemakers, cochlear implants, or other contraindications to transcranial magnetic stimulation.
• Major neurological disorders, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, or other neurodegenerative diseases.
• Severe psychiatric disorders other than depression.
• Severe cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or medical conditions that preclude participation in aerobic exercise.
• Severe visual or hearing impairments that interfere with cognitive assessment.
• Current participation in another intervention study.

Where it is running

• Cheng Hsin General Hospital — Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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