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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07678476

Brisk Walking and Baduanjin Improve Inhibitory Function in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment

This study aims to investigate the acute effects of single-session different forms of aerobic exercise (brisk walking and Baduanjin) on inhibitory function and resting-state EEG power in older adults with cognitive impairment, providing scientific evidence for developing exercise intervention programs for this population.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following core questions:

1. Can a single session of brisk walking and a single session of Baduanjin exercise improve reaction time and accuracy on the Stroop color-word task in older adults with cognitive impairment? 2. Are there differential effects on inhibitory function between the two exercise modalities? 3. Does a single exercise session induce immediate changes in resting-state EEG power spectrum across multiple frequency bands (δ, θ, α, β)? 4. Are changes in resting-state EEG power associated with improvements in inhibitory function?

Forty-five older adults with cognitive impairment will be randomly assigned to three groups (n=15 each): brisk walking group, Baduanjin group, and control group (quiet seated rest). Participants in the brisk walking and Baduanjin groups will each perform a single 30-minute moderate-intensity exercise session. All participants will complete the Stroop color-word task (assessing reaction time and accuracy under both congruent and incongruent conditions) and undergo a 5-minute eyes-closed resting-state EEG recording before and immediately after the intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Cognition Impairment

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Shanghai University of Sport

Shanghai, China

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 60 years, regardless of gender;
  • Right-handed;
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≤ 25;
  • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision;
  • Normal hearing;
  • Signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of severe cognitive impairment or other neurodegenerative diseases;
  • Presence of psychiatric disorders, or current or long-term use of psychotropic medications;
  • Presence of severe cardiovascular diseases (e.g., heart failure, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, etc.);
  • Presence of severe muscle diseases, or a history of lower limb injury within the past six months that would preclude the ability to stand for extended periods.

Treatment and study plan

Exercise Intervention

Behavioral

The brisk walking protocol was designed in accordance with the standards promulgated by the General Administration of Sport of China in 2017. The Baduanjin exercise was based on the "Health Qigong · Baduanjin" protocol promulgated by the General Administration of Sport of China in 2003.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Inhibitory Function Assessed by the Stroop Color-Word Test

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention (approximately 30 minutes after the exercise session)

    Inhibitory function will be assessed using the Stroop color-word test. Participants are required to name the color of the ink while inhibiting the automatic tendency to read the word. The outcome measure is the change from baseline in accuracy rate (%) under both congruent and incongruent conditions immediately post-intervention.

  2. Change in Inhibitory Function Assessed by the Stroop Color-Word Test

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention (approximately 30 minutes after the exercise session

    Inhibitory function will be assessed using the Stroop color-word test. Participants are required to name the color of the ink while inhibiting the automatic tendency to read the word. The outcome measure is the change from baseline in reaction time (milliseconds) under both congruent and incongruent conditions immediately post-intervention.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Resting-State EEG Power Spectrum

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention (approximately 30 minutes after the exercise session)

    Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) will be recorded for 5 minutes with eyes closed. The outcome measure is the change from baseline in absolute power across multiple frequency bands: delta (1-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), and beta (12-30 Hz). EEG power will be calculated for five brain regions (frontal, central, temporal, parietal, and occipital).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Shanghai University of Sport

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Single-Session Brisk Walking and Baduanjin Exercise on Inhibitory Function in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: An Exploration of Resting-State EEG Mechanisms

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 1, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 2, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.