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NCT Number: NCT06995638

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Aging Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

Age range

60 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Behavior Health Sciences Building, F-Level

Newark, New Jersey, 07103, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Ana Staniscia, MA

CONTACT

[email protected]

Sharon Sanz Simon Assistant Professor, Ph.D.

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Thamiris Gonçalves Clinical Research Coordinator, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

973-972-2977

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

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.

Treatment and study plan

Web-based Cognitive Training (with strategy)

Behavioral

Participants will learn to play a complex online game using specific guidance or strategy.

Web-based Cognitive Training (without strategy)

Behavioral

Participants will learn to play a complex online game without specific guidance or strategy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in the Breakfast Game scores

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Transfer to complex executive/attention control measure (Proximal outcome).

    Time frame: At baseline (week 1); post-intervention (weeks 10th to 12th); and at 3-month follow-up (week 24th)

    Alphanumeric Task score.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Transfer to executive functions composite measure (Proximal outcome)

    Time frame: 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)

  2. Transfer to Everyday Cognition Scale (ECOG) (Distal outcome)

    Time frame: 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.

  3. Transfer to Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) (Distal outcome)

    Time frame: 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.

  4. Transfer to Self Efficacy for Cognitive Everyday Tasks (Distal outcome)

    Time frame: 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.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ana Staniscia Associate Research, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

Thamiris Golçalves Clinical Research Coordinator, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

973-972-2977

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Registry information

Official study title

Web-based Technology and Cognitive Training: Improving Executive Control in Cognitively Healthy Older Adults: the MUltitasking STrategy (MUST) Study

Acronym: MUST

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 29, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 15, 2025

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

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

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.

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