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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05573646

Online Group-based Dual-task Training to Improve Cognitive Function of Community-dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: This study aims to explore the feasibility, acceptance, and efficacy of online group-based dual-task training as an intervention for improving cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults.

Hypothesis to be tested: We hypothesize that after the intervention, there will be an improvement in the participants' cognitive function as compared with pre-intervention status and with the control group. Also, lower-limb muscle strength and psychosocial wellbeing will be improved after the intervention.

Design and subjects: This is a randomised controlled feasibility study. The target population is community-dwelling older adults with access to an online meeting platform. About 75 participants will be recruited and randomised to the intervention and attention control groups in a ratio of 2:1. Intervention group will receive 60 minutes of online group-based dual-task training twice a week for 12 weeks led by a trained facilitator. Cognitive training components include arithmetic operation, verbal fluency, and upper limb/finger movement. Physical training components are chair-based exercises. The training components will be selected using a co-design approach.

Instruments: Memory Inventory in Chinese (MIC), Digit Span Test, Victoria Stroop Test, Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-Minutes (Hong Kong Version).

Main outcome measures: Subjective memory complaints as measured by MIC.

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Key information

Conditions

Aging Well

Age range

65 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Nursing Home

Hong Kong

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • aged 65 years and above,
  • no communication problems,
  • able to communicate in Chinese, and
  • able to use an online meeting platform.

Exclusion criteria

  • contraindications to chair-based exercises, and
  • engagement in any kind of cognitive training three months prior to the study or during the study period.

Treatment and study plan

Dual-Task Training

Other

Participants will receive a one-hour online group-based dual-task training session twice a week for 12 weeks, giving a total intervention time of 24 hours. A co-design approach will be adopted to develop the training components in the dual-tasks. For the cognitive training component, arithmetic operation, verbal fluency, and upper limb/ finger movements are included. For the physical training component, we select chair-based exercises are included. A group-based training mode led by a facilitator will be adopted. During the session, participants will be asked to turn on their camera so that they can see and interact with each other. They will also have their audio on as they will have to participate in the cognitive tasks by voicing out their answers.

Attention Control

Other

Participants will receive eight one-hour online group-based interactive education on health topics other than exercise and cognitive health.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline subjective memory complaints at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Six weeks after baseline

    Measured by Memory Inventory in Chinese. The sum of score ranges from 0 to 108, higher score indicates more memory complaints.

  2. Change from baseline subjective memory complaints at 12 weeks

    Time frame: 12 weeks after baseline

    Measured by Memory Inventory in Chinese. The sum of score ranges from 0 to 108, higher score indicates more memory complaints.

  3. Change from baseline subjective memory complaints at 18 weeks

    Time frame: 18 weeks after baseline

    Measured by Memory Inventory in Chinese. The sum of score ranges from 0 to 108, higher score indicates more memory complaints.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline cognitive status at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Six weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-Minutes (Hong Kong Version) (HK-MoCA 5-Min) protocol. The total score ranges from 0 to 30; a higher score indicates better cognitive status.

  2. Change from baseline cognitive status at 12 weeks

    Time frame: 12 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-Minutes (Hong Kong Version) (HK-MoCA 5-Min) protocol. The total score ranges from 0 to 30; a higher score indicates better cognitive status.

  3. Change from baseline cognitive status at 18 weeks

    Time frame: 18 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-Minutes (Hong Kong Version) (HK-MoCA 5-Min) protocol. The total score ranges from 0 to 30; a higher score indicates better cognitive status.

  4. Change from baseline working memory at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Six weeks after baseline

    Measured by Digit Span Test. The longer the series, the better the condition.

  5. Change from baseline working memory at 12 weeks

    Time frame: 12 weeks after baseline

    Measured by Digit Span Test. The longer the series, the better the condition.

  6. Change from baseline working memory at 18 weeks

    Time frame: 18 weeks after baseline

    Measured by Digit Span Test. The longer the series, the better the condition.

  7. Change from baseline executive function at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Six weeks after baseline

    Measured by Chinese version of the Victoria Stroop Test, with more time and errors as worse condition.

  8. Change from baseline executive function at 12 weeks

    Time frame: 12 weeks after baseline

    Measured by Chinese version of the Victoria Stroop Test, with more time and errors as worse condition.

  9. Change from baseline executive function at 18 weeks

    Time frame: 18 weeks after baseline

    Measured by Chinese version of the Victoria Stroop Test, with more time and errors as worse condition.

  10. Change from baseline lower-limb muscle strength at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Six weeks after baseline

    Measured by the 5-times chair stand task. The longer the time participants use to finish the task, the poorer the performance.

  11. Change from baseline lower-limb muscle strength at 12 weeks

    Time frame: 12 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the 5-times chair stand task. The longer the time participants use to finish the task, the poorer the performance.

  12. Change from baseline lower-limb muscle strength at 18 weeks

    Time frame: 18 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the 5-times chair stand task. The longer the time participants use to finish the task, the poorer the performance.

  13. Change from baseline happiness at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Six weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Chinese version of the 4-item Subjective Happiness Scale. The score is the average of the four items, and ranges from 1 to 7; a higher score indicates a higher happiness level.

  14. Change from baseline happiness at 12 weeks

    Time frame: 12 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Chinese version of the 4-item Subjective Happiness Scale. The score is the average of the four items, and ranges from 1 to 7; a higher score indicates a higher happiness level.

  15. Change from baseline happiness at 18 weeks

    Time frame: 18 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Chinese version of the 4-item Subjective Happiness Scale. The score is the average of the four items, and ranges from 1 to 7; a higher score indicates a higher happiness level.

  16. Change from baseline depressive symptoms at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Six weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The scale ranged from 0 to 27, higher score indicates higher level of depressive symptoms.

  17. Change from baseline depressive symptoms at 12 weeks

    Time frame: 12 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The scale ranged from 0 to 27, higher score indicates higher level of depressive symptoms.

  18. Change from baseline depressive symptoms at 18 weeks

    Time frame: 18 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The scale ranged from 0 to 27, higher score indicates higher level of depressive symptoms.

  19. Change from baseline social isolation/integration at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Six weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Chinese version of the 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 30; a higher score indicates a better social network.

  20. Change from baseline social isolation/integration at 12 weeks

    Time frame: 12 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Chinese version of the 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 30; a higher score indicates a better social network.

  21. Change from baseline social isolation/integration at 18 weeks

    Time frame: 18 weeks after baseline

    Measured by the Chinese version of the 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 30; a higher score indicates a better social network.

  22. Change from baseline instrumental activity of daily living at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Six weeks after baseline

    Measured by Lawton's eight selected tasks. A summary score ranges from 0 (low function, dependent) to 8 (high function, independent) for women and 0 through 5 for men to avoid potential gender bias.

  23. Change from baseline instrumental activity of daily living at 12 weeks

    Time frame: 12 weeks after baseline

    Measured by Lawton's eight selected tasks. A summary score ranges from 0 (low function, dependent) to 8 (high function, independent) for women and 0 through 5 for men to avoid potential gender bias.

  24. Change from baseline instrumental activity of daily living at 18 weeks

    Time frame: 18 weeks after baseline

    Measured by Lawton's eight selected tasks. A summary score ranges from 0 (low function, dependent) to 8 (high function, independent) for women and 0 through 5 for men to avoid potential gender bias.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Other

Collaborators

  • Health and Medical Research Fund

Registry information

Official study title

Online Group-based Dual-task Training to Improve Cognitive Function of Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Feasibility Study

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Oct 10, 2022
Registry last updated
Aug 23, 2024

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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