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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05506852

Using Teleneuropsychology to Optimize Cognition in Healthy Aging: the Web-based Breakfast Game

Executive control processes involve initiate, coordinate, synchronize, and regulate elemental cognitive functions for the conduct of goal-directed behavior. The proposed research investigates whether exposure to a web-based training protocol designed to enhance executive control processes will improve cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older adults.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Aging Cognition Disorders Cognitive Dysfunction Mental Disorders Neurocognitive Disorders

Age range

60 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

New York, 10032, United States

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 healthy older adults. Cognitively normal adults aged 60-75 will be randomized into two experimental groups: 1) Web-based game with training strategy; 2) Web-based game without training strategy (Active Control). All participants (groups 1 and 2) will be instructed to play the complex, high-demand online game, Breakfast Game, for 14 one-hour sessions over 5 weeks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 60-75
  • Willingness to adhere to training protocol
  • Adequate English proficiency

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 training strategy

Behavioral

Participants will undergo a web-based training protocol where they will play an online game that simulates a breakfast environment and will perform everyday activities as "cooking" and "setting tables" in a multi-tasking fashion. Participants will learn to play the game using specific strategies, in order to optimize the performance.

Other names: Experimental intervention

Web-based regular training (no strategy)

Behavioral

Participants will undergo a web-based training protocol where they will play an online game that simulates a breakfast environment and will perform everyday activities as "cooking" and "setting tables" in a multi-tasking fashion. Participants will learn to play the game under regular game instructions.

Other names: Control intervention

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in the Breakfast Game Performance: Number of Tables Set Score

    Time frame: Assessed at training session 1, week 1; training session 12, approximately 6 weeks. Data is reported for the change between session 1 and 12

    Change in the total number of tables set. In the computerized task, participants are asked to set tables for four guests. When finished, one point is given. Higher scores represent a better outcome. This metric represents a change in the score = the higher means improvement in the performance. The total score ranges between 0 and 12; the total change score ranged from -3 to +3.

  2. Changes in the Breakfast Game Performance: Cooking Time Range of Stop Times Scores

    Time frame: Assessed at training session 1, week 1; training session 12, approximately 6 weeks. Data is reported for the change between session 1 and 12

    Change in cooking time (milliseconds) between food items. In the computerized task, participants are asked to cook different food types. Scores reflect the difference between the first and last food item that was stopped cooking. Lower scores (closest to zero) represent a better outcome. This metric represents a change in the score = the lower means improvement on the performance. The total score ranges between 0.3 and 315; the total change score ranges from -40 to +40.

  3. Change in Breakfast Game Performance: Cooking Time Discrepancy Scores

    Time frame: Assessed at training session 1, week 1; training session 12, approximately 6 weeks. Data is reported for the change between session 1 and 12

    Change in cooking time (milliseconds) in each food type. In the computerized task, participants are asked to cook different food types. Scores reflect the average absolute values of the difference between the required and actual cooking time of each item. Lower scores (closest to zero) represent a better outcome. This metric represents a change in the score = the lower means improvement in the performance. The total score ranges between 0.3 and 175; The total change score ranges from -20 to +20.

  4. Transfer to Complex Executive/Attention Control Measure (Proximal Outcome).

    Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts; and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent change between pre and post training)

    Accuracy on the Alphanumeric Task. This metric represents a change in the score. The higher the means more improvement in the performance. The total change score ranged from -0.1 to +0.1

Secondary outcomes

  1. Transfer to Executive Functions Composite Z-Score (Distal Outcome)

    Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts; and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent change between pre and post training)

    The Executive Functions Composite Z-Score represents an ability based on performance in four tests: Letter-Number Sequencing, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop, and Useful Field of View. Each of these test measures aspects of executive functions, including: divided attention, working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility.

    To calculate the Executive Functions Composite Score, Z-score values were computed in each of the four tests. We then averaged the Z-scores into a single Z-score measure. The central value (Z-score of 0) represents the average performance of the sample in each test. Standard deviation above the mean (higher Z-score values) represents better performance. The total Z-score ranged between -7 and 5. (Values not used for clinical diagnosis, sample cognitively healthy).

    This metric represents CHANGE in the Executive Functions Composite Score = the higher values represent more improvement in the performance. The total change score ranged from -2 + 2.

  2. Transfer to the General Self-efficacy Scale (Distal Outcome)

    Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts; and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent change between pre and post training)

    Scores on a scale that measures perception about self-efficacy. Total score ranges between 10 and 40, with a higher score indicating more self-efficacy. The change in the scale ranged from -4 to 9. This metric represents a change in the score = the higher means improvement in the performance.

  3. Transfer to Beck Depression Inventory (Distal Outcome)

    Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts; and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent change between pre and post training)

    Score on a scale that measures depression symptoms. Total score ranges between 0 and 63, with a higher score indicating more depression symptoms. The change in the scale ranged from +3 to -9.

  4. Transfer to Beck Anxiety Inventory (Distal Outcome)

    Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts, and the 6th week, after the last (13th) training session. (Measure represent the change between pre and post training)

    Score on a scale that measures anxiety symptoms. Total score ranges between 0 and 63, with a higher score indicating more anxiety symptoms. The change in the scale ranged from +6 to -6.

  5. Transfer to Cognition-Leisure Questionnaire (Distal Outcome)

    Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts, and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent the change between pre and post training)

    Score on a scale reflecting engagement/frequency in leisure & cognitive activities. Total score ranges between 0 and 80, with a higher score indicating more frequency in leisure/cognitive activities. The change in the scale ranged from -9 to 9.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Columbia University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Registry information

Official study title

Training Executive Control in Cognitively Healthy Aging: the Web-based Breakfast Game

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 18, 2022
Registry last updated
Mar 19, 2026

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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