Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04323163

Yoga, Aerobic and Stretching Exercise Effects on Neurocognition

The investigators propose to conduct a 6-month 3-arm randomized controlled exercise trial among older adults to compare the efficacy of yoga with aerobic exercise and stretching-toning exercises on cognitive function, brain structure and function, cardiorespiratory fitness, functional fitness, and inflammatory and molecular markers. Using a single-blind, three arm randomized control trial, 168 older adults ages 55-79 will be assigned to either: a Hatha yoga group, an aerobic exercise group or an active stretching and toning control group. The groups will engage in hour-long group exercise sessions 3x/week. A comprehensive neurocognitive test battery, brain imaging, cardiovascular fitness test, and a blood draw will take place at baseline; end of the 6-month intervention, and at 12-month follow-up.

The proposed work will examine the relationship between yoga training and improved cognitive functioning as well as identify neurobiological correlates as potential mechanisms of action through which yoga training exerts its effect on cognitive function.

COVID-19 Precautions: Due to COVID-19, all exercise sessions will be conducted live via Zoom video-conferencing such that 1/3rd of the participants in each group will exercise in person with the research staff at UIUC campus once a week while the remaining 2/3rd will tune in via Zoom

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Aging Cognition Disorders Cognitive Decline Cognitive Dysfunction Mental Disorders Neurocognitive Disorders

Age range

55 year–79 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 55-79 years of age at study enrollment
  • TICS-M score of 32 or higher
  • No current or past diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementias
  • Low-active (≤ 2 days of 30 minutes of structured exercise/week)
  • Physician's consent to participate in VO2max testing and the exercise program
  • Ambulatory
  • Absence of health conditions that may be exacerbated by exercise
  • Good or corrected vision and hearing
  • No MRI contraindications (e.g. metal or implanted devices in the body)
  • Right-handed
  • Intention to remain in the Champaign-Urbana area over the study duration

Exclusion criteria

  • Below 55 or above 79 years of age at study enrollment
  • TICS-M score of 31 or lower
  • Current or past diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementias
  • High-active (3 or more days of 30 minutes of structured exercise/week)
  • Physician's non-consent to participate in VO2max testing and the exercise program
  • Non-ambulatory (use of wheelchairs or walkers)
  • Presence of health conditions that may be exacerbated by exercise
  • Poor vision and hearing
  • MRI contraindications (e.g. metal or implanted devices in the body)
  • Left-handed
  • Plans to travel outside of Champaign-Urbana area during the study

Treatment and study plan

Physical activity

Behavioral

3 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session for 6 months

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in cognitive function

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months

    A comprehensive neuropsychological battery (part of the NIH toolbox) will be used that assesses different domains of cognitive function, including working memory, attention and executive function.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in brain structure

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months

    MRI will be used to measure brain volume.

  2. Change in brain function

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months

    Functional MRI will be used to measure changes in brain activity during resting state.

Other outcomes

  1. Changes in physiological biomarkers

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months

    Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) will be assessed through a blood serum analysis at each timepoint.

  2. Changes in cardiovascular fitness

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months

    The mediating role of cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed by using a treadmill based graded exercise test designed to measure peak VO2 capacity

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Other

Collaborators

  • Wayne State University

Registry information

Official study title

Yoga, Aerobic and Stretching Exercise Effects on Neurocognitive Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2024
First posted
Mar 26, 2020
Registry last updated
Jul 31, 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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.