Comparison of Three Motor-cognitive Training Programs (EXECO)

Aix Marseille Université

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cognitive Decline

Treatments: Other: Technology-assisted circuit training; Other: Nordic walking; Other: Conventional circuit training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04504643

2019-A03263-54

Details and patient eligibility

About

Understanding how to delay age-related physical and mental declines is an issue for aging research. It has been shown that isolated aerobic, coordination and cognitive training improve brain functions and cognitive performances. Moreover, the combination of them leads to greater effects. Different combination modalities are possible: training programs demanding cognitive resources within the activity performed in a natural environment like Nordic Walking (or Tai chi, Dance...); or as in a conceptually-grounded circuit training where training components are systematically combined and their intensity controlled. The aim of this study is to compare three training programs: a Nordic walking one (NW), and two conceptual grounded, circuits training (CT-c; CT-fit). CT-c implemented by dual-task (DT) exercises, while CT-fit characterized by cognitive charge embodied in the movements through the use of technology. An improvement in physical, motor, and cognitive functions is expected by all three groups. However, our primary hypothesis is that the CT-fit will impact executive functions more.

45 healthy independent living community dwellers participants aged 65 to 80 will be recruited. Participants will be included after a general medical examination (geriatric screening and cycle-ergometer maximal effort test). The main exclusion criteria are signs of cognitive impairment, (MMSE <26/30), and physical impairments. Participants will be randomly divided into the 3 groups (NW, CT-c, CT-fit): The training program will last 8 weeks, 1 hour 3 times a week. Pre and post-tests will include cognitive assessment (MoCA; TMT; Stroop task, Happy Neuron™ working memory test, Rey Complex Figure copy task and dual-task capacities through the DT-OTMT); motor fitness assessment (Bipedal upright standing, Unipedal balance test, walking speed and size of the base of support, Timed Up & Go, Chair sit and reach test and Four square stepping test) and physical assessment (10 m incremental shuttle walking test, maximal handgrip force, 30s chair rise stand).

Improving cognitive functions by adding new technology embodied in a systematically combined training (exergame), would result to be the best solution to optimize training for aging people.

Enrollment: 45 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Considered apt for moderate physical activity practice (validated by a maximal VO2 cycle-ergometer test by a cardiologist)
• Sedentary or moderately active (objectified by the categories obtained at the IPAQ)
• Cognitively healthy (objectified by a score at the MMSE of 26 and above)

Exclusion criteria

• Colorblindness
• Uncorrected earing and/or visual impairment
• Presence of a known psychiatric or neurologic condition
• Under psychotropic treatment or beta-blockers

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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45 participants in 3 patient groups

Technology-assisted circuit training

Experimental group

Description:

Multicomponent circuit training using FItLight Trainer™ as an embodied tool to perform motor task. The circuit training is composed by aerobic, muscular, coordination and balance exercises.

Treatment:

Other: Technology-assisted circuit training

Conventional circuit training

Experimental group

Description:

Multicomponent circuit training composed by aerobic, muscular, balance and coordination exercises. Coordination exercises wll be charged of simple dual task cognitive exercises (counting backwards, or making some easy math calculations, repeating words backward, finding words of the same family).

Treatment:

Other: Conventional circuit training

Nordic Walking

Experimental group

Description:

The training sessions are performed in a natural parc, which offers pathways of different lengths and levels of difficulty that will increase over the weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Nordic walking