Combined Cognitive and Physical Exercises Through Computer Games in Elderly: The LLM Project
- Conditions
- Mild DementiaHealthyMild Cognitive Impairment
- Interventions
- Other: LLM training
- Registration Number
- NCT02267499
- Lead Sponsor
- Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki
- Brief Summary
The study involved Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and more specifically computer exercises blended with game activities. It was hypothesized that ICT facilitated, game blended combined cognitive and physical exercise improves global cognition when compared to a control group; and that the number of sessions within exercising participants predict cognitive benefits. In addition, we explored the impact of potential moderators on combined exercise-induced cognitive benefits.
- Detailed Description
The multicenter study was part of the Long Lasting Memories (LLM) project (www.longlastingmemories.eu), which was funded by the European Commission (Information and Communication Technologies Policy Support Program (ICT-PSP) for a three year period (2009-2012). It used a pre-post-test design with the between-participant factor group \[intervention vs. passive control\]. Post-test was conducted within 2 weeks after completion of the exercise period. Interventions were carried out in Athens and Thessaloniki (Greece) within day care centers, hospitals, senior care centers, a memory outpatient center, local parishes, at university campus facilities (university community installations), and at participants' homes.
Institutions had to provide at least 5 exercise weeks, with a frequency of at least 1 physical and 2 cognitive exercise sessions per week, resulting in at least 5 physical and 10 cognitive exercise sessions in total.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 322
no severe cognitive impairment [Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE ≥ 18], fluent language skills, agreement of a medical doctor and time commitment to the test and exercise protocol.
concurrent participation in another study, severe physical or psychological disorders which precluded participation in the intervention (i.e., inability to follow instructions), unrecovered neurological disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, unstable medication within the past three months, severe and uncorrectable vision problems, or hearing aid for less than three months.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description LLM training LLM training Participants use the FitForAll exergaming computer platform as the physical training component (PTC); Participants use the language adapted Version of the BrainFitness Program as the cognitive training component (CTC)
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method overall cognition 2 months Greek versions of the California Verbal Learning Test \[CVLT\], the Digit Span Test and the Trail Making Test \[TMT\] were used to assess cognitive outcomes.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Episodic memory 2 months calculated by averaging z-standardized sub-scores of the three cognitive tests (primary outcome)
physical fitness 2 months Physical capacity was measured by means of the Senior Fitness Test
working memory 2 months calculated by averaging z-standardized sub-scores of the three cognitive tests (primary outcome)
executive function 2 months calculated by averaging z-standardized sub-scores of the three cognitive tests (primary outcome)
Quality of Life 2 months WHOQoL (WHO Quality of Life)
Instrumental Activities of daily living 2 months IADL
Depressive symptoms 2 months GDS (Geriatric depression scale)
Brain function 2 months changes in abnormal brain waves that correlate with mild cognitive decline and dementia as measured by EEG