Project Gnosis: the Neurophysical and Psychosocial Health Outcomes of Tai Chi for Older Adults with Cognitive Concerns or Mild Cognitive Impairment

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); Sarcopenia

• Registration Number: NCT06828926
• Lead Sponsor: Ohio University

Brief Summary

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in older adults is linked to muscle loss (sarcopenia) and can lead to dementia, with pain further impacting cognitive and physical performance. Tai Chi, a mind-body exercise, is recommended for managing MCI as it supports cognitive function, mood, and physical health.

The investigators' first goal is to characterize the correlation of heart rate variability and cortical activity on cognitive function and the psychosocial correlates of pain interference and social isolation on cognitive function at baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks of Tai Chi). The second goal is to explain the role of sarcopenia and obesity in the relationship between pain interference and cognitive function. The investigators also want to examine the index of the predictive capacity regarding sarcopenia and obesity on cognitive function outcomes.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2025-01-13
• Status Verified: 2025-02
• Study Start: 2025-02-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-02-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-02-12
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-25
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-25
• Primary Completion: 2026-02
• Study Completion: 2026-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

1. Participants who are older adults, defined as ≥60 years old.
2. Participants must have the ability to independently stand without the use of an assistive device for 20 minutes.
3. People with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (initial cohort) and without MCI (age-gender matched healthy controls). A score of between >18 and ≤26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will be used to classify MCI. A score above 26 is considered normal.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Participants with significant uncontrolled medication, and cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic symptoms will be excluded from participation in the study, as these symptoms could impact their engagement with the engagement of Tai Chi.

2. Investigators will administer a brief screening questionnaire to assess (a) hypotension symptoms related to intensive treatment of hypertension and (b) hypoglycemia related to intensive treatment of diabetes, as these conditions are associated with cognitive decline.

3. Investigators will capture data on potential sleep apnea and administer the Stop-Bang Questionnaire to identify potential sleep-disordered breathing. Participants with significant uncontrolled sleep apnea will be excluded as this could also impact their engagement in the intervention and influence the primary outcome measure of cognitive function.

4. Currently or recently practicing Tai Chi. Participants will be excluded if they are currently practicing Tai Chi. If participants have previously engaged in Tai Chi, there will be a washout period of at least 6 months before considering enrollment in the study.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Executive Function - Stroop Color-Word Interference Test	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Stroop Color-Word Interference Test
Executive Function - Semantic Fluency Test	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status - Semantic Fluency Test

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cognitive Function - Processing Speed	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status Coding Test
Positive Affect	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Positive Affect Item Bank
Meaning and Purpose	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Meaning and Purpose Item bank
Heart Rate Variability	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Heart Rate Variability recorded while sitting for 5 minutes using a photoplethysmogram.
Cortical activity	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Cortical activity will be recorded during a brief Tai Chi Practice before and after the 8-week Tai Chi intervention using a functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy system.
Pain Interference	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Pain Interference Item Bank
Social Isolation	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Social Isolation Item Bank

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ohio University; 🇺🇸 Athens, Ohio, United States