Improving Executive Control in Cognitively Healthy Older Adults: the MUltitasking STrategy (MUST) Study

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Healthy Aging; Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

• Registration Number: NCT06995638
• Lead Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Brief Summary

Developing efficient cognitive intervention for cognitively health older adults is a major public health goal, due to its potential for reducing age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease/dementia risk. Executive Control is a relevant cognitive target since it declines with aging and is critical for multi-tasking in daily life. The proposed research investigates whether playing a web-based cognitive complex game (the Breakfast Game) impacts cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older adults. To be enrolled in the study, participants will be asked to undergo a cognitive sassessment, health questionnires, and a blood exam. The intervention consist in one educational session on healthy aging, and 10 one-hour cognitive training sessions 2-3 times a week over one month. Participants will be asked to repeat the cognitive assessment within 1-2 weeks after the intervention, and after three months.

Detailed Description

The proposed research investigates whether exposure to a web-based training protocol designed to enhance executive control / multi-tasking abilities will improve cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older adults. Cognitively normal adults aged 60-75 will be randomized into three groups: 1) Web-based game with training strategy (Experimental); 2) Web-based game without training strategy (Active Control); 3) No intervention group (Passive control). Participants in groups 1 and 2 will be instructed to play the complex, high-demand online game, the Breakfast Game, for 10 one-hour sessions over 4 weeks. At study entry all participants will be asked to complete a cognitive assessment, health questionnaires, a blood exam and and education session on healthy aging. After the intervention, participants will be asked to repeat the cogntive assessment within 1-2 weeks, and after 3 months.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Study First Submitted: 2025-05-14
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-05-21
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-21
• Study First Posted: 2025-05-29
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-29
• Study Start: 2025-08
• Primary Completion: 2027-12
• Study Completion: 2027-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 130

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 60-75

• Adequate English proficiency

• Willingness to adhere to training protocol:

  • Attend 2 in-person assessments
  • Attend a blood test
  • Attend online intervention sessions and online follow-up assessment

Exclusion Criteria

• Low test scores (below 26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment)
• Known history of cognitive impairment, dementia, stroke, seizure disorder, or other neuropsychiatric condition judged to impact cognitive performance.
• Taking medications known to influence cognitive performance.
• Sensory (e.g. visual, auditory) or physical (e.g. severe arthritic, orthopedic, neurologic) impairment incompatible with use of a standard computer workstation.
• Enrolled in a concurrent study that could affect the outcome of this study.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in the Breakfast Game scores	Training session 1, week 1; training 10, approximately 4 weeks.	Change in the total game performance based on specific scores (number of tables and cooking scores). Higher scores represent better game outcomes.
Transfer to complex executive/attention control measure (proximal outcome).	At baseline (week 1); post-intervention (weeks 10th to 12th); and at 3-month follow-up (week 24th)	Alphanumeric Task score.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Transfer to executive functions composite measure (distal outcome)	At baseline (week 1); post-intervention (weeks 10th to 12th); and at 3-month follow-up (week 24th)	Average z-score computed with tests involving working memory, divided attention, and inhibitory control (Letter-Number, UFOV and Stroop)
Transfer to Everyday Cognition Scale (ECOG) (Distal outcome)	At baseline (week 1); post-intervention (weeks 10th to 12th); and at 3-month follow-up (week 24th)	Scores on a scale that measures cognitive difficulties in everyday life. A higher score indicates higher levels of cognitive difficulties or change.
Transfer to Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) (Distal outcome)	At baseline (week 1); post-intervention (weeks 10th to 12th); and at 3-month follow-up (week 24th)	Scores on a scale that measures attention awareness. A higher score indicates higher levels of attention awareness.
Transfer to Self Efficacy for Cognitive Everyday Tasks (Distal outcome)	At baseline (week 1); post-intervention (weeks 10th to 12th); and at 3-month follow-up (week 24th)	Scores on a scale that measures self-efficacy. A higher score indicates higher levels of self-efficacy.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Behavior Health Sciences Building, F-Level; 🇺🇸 Newark, New Jersey, United States