Study of School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy College of Medicine in Taiwan
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 65
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- General cognitive function
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Background: Promotion of cognitive functions of middle aged and older adults and prevention of dementia are important issues in the aging society. In recent years, studies have shown that Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) exercise can improve cognitive functions in healthy middle-aged and older adults, but not studies have investigated the neural mechanisms. Therefore, the purposes of this research project are: (1) to investigate the effects of TCC exercise intervention on improving cognitive functions and motor functions in healthy middle-aged and older adults; (2) to investigate the effects of TCC intervention on improving the integrity of frontostriatal fiber tracts, and areas and intensity of brain activation while performing a switching task in healthy middle-aged and older adults.
Methods: This project used the assessor-blind and randomized control clinical trial design. A total of 60 healthy middle-aged and older adults will be recruited, randomly allocated to two groups: experimental and control groups. Experimental group will receive a 60-minute exercise program, three times per week for 12 weeks. Control group will receive a telephone consultation once every two weeks for 12 weeks. All participants will receive clinical neuropsychological tests, Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery tests, motor function tests, diffusion spectrum MR imaging, and functional MRI experiments before intervention, and at the end of intervention to realize the changes of cognitive function, motor function, integrity of neural tracts, and intensity and regions of functional activation while doing switching task of executive function in order to understand the cognitive effects and the neural mechanisms of TCC.
Detailed Description
Background: Promotion of cognitive functions of middle aged and older adults and prevention of dementia are important issues in the aging society. In recent years, studies have shown that Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) exercise can improve cognitive functions in healthy middle-aged and older adults, but not studies have investigated the neural mechanisms. Therefore, the purposes of this research project are: (1) to investigate the effects of TCC exercise intervention on improving cognitive functions and motor functions in healthy middle-aged and older adults; (2) to investigate the effects of TCC intervention on improving the integrity of frontostriatal fiber tracts, and areas and intensity of brain activation while performing a switching task in healthy middle-aged and older adults.
Methods: This project used the assessor-blind and randomized control clinical trial design. A total of 60 healthy middle-aged and older adults will be recruited, randomly allocated to two groups: experimental and control groups. Experimental group will receive a 60-minute exercise program, three times per week for 12 weeks. Control group will receive a telephone consultation once every two weeks for 12 weeks. All participants will receive clinical neuropsychological tests, Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery tests, motor function tests, diffusion spectrum MR imaging, and functional MRI experiments before intervention, and at the end of intervention to realize the changes of cognitive function, motor function, integrity of neural tracts, and intensity and regions of functional activation while doing switching task of executive function in order to understand the cognitive effects and the neural mechanisms of TCC.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Health Services Research
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 50 Years to 85 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •age range between 50 - 85 years old.
- •education level > 6 years or can read and speak Chinese
- •Montreal Cognitive Assessment Taiwan version (MoCA) score >= 26
- •Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score = 0
- •right dominant hand
Exclusion Criteria
- •any neurological diseases, ex stroke, Parkinson's disease, trauma, epilepsy
- •cardiac disease, cardiac infarction, angina, uncontrolled hypertension
- •spiritual disease, anxiety or depression (Geriatric Depression Scale 15-item short-form score >= 8)
- •Daily ability need helps (instrumental activities of daily living, IADL has one item score= 0 or 1)
Arms & Interventions
Control
Control group will receive a telephone consultation once every two weeks for 12 weeks.
Physical activity
Experimental group will receive a 60-minute 24 forms Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan exercise program, three times per week for 12 weeks.
Intervention: Physical activity (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
General cognitive function
Time Frame: This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.
Cognitive score on Montreal Cognitive Assessment Taiwan version (MoCA) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR).
Flexibility
Time Frame: This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.
Flexibility score (cm) on scratch test, chair sit and reach test.
Coordination
Time Frame: This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.
Coordination time (seconds) on four square step test and "Timed Up and Go" test
Physical activity level
Time Frame: This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.
Physical activity score on "Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly" questionnaire.
Executive function
Time Frame: This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.
Completed time (seconds) on Color Trail Test- Part 1\& 2, and number of errors from executive function task on Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).
Balance
Time Frame: This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.
Balance time (seconds) on eyes opened one-leg stance test.
Endurance
Time Frame: This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.
Walking distance (meters) on six-minute walking test.
Motor strength
Time Frame: This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.
Upper and lower limbs' muscle strength (kg) on handheld dynamometer, grip test, and to test lower limb strength by measuring the completed times in 30 seconds, chair rise test.
Memory function
Time Frame: This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.
Memory score on Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).
Secondary Outcomes
- Brain functional activation(This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.)
- Brain structural integrity(This outcome will be assessed at baseline and up to 12 weeks exercise or control intervention.)
Investigators
National Taiwan University Hospital
School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy College of Medicine
National Taiwan University Hospital