Exercise for Age-Related Cognitive Decline

(DECLARE Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen by Ronald Lazar, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Untreated depression, Severe respiratory, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests if short exercise routines can help people with high blood pressure and cognitive issues. The exercise is expected to improve heart and blood vessel health, which may lower blood pressure and boost brain function. Researchers will use eye scans to measure changes in blood vessel health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since the trial involves exercise for those with hypertension, it's possible you may need to continue any blood pressure medications. Please consult with the trial coordinators for specific guidance.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Exercise for age-related cognitive decline?

Research suggests that HIIT can improve cognitive flexibility and general cognition in older adults, with some studies showing it enhances brain health and executive function more than other exercise types. HIIT is also noted for its time efficiency and potential to promote vascular health, which is important for brain function. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is high-intensity interval training (HIIT) safe for older adults?

HIIT is generally well-tolerated and appears to be safe for older adults, with no acute injuries reported and a low rate of major adverse cardiovascular events in studies. However, more research is needed to fully understand its safety in this age group. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

How does HIIT exercise differ from other treatments for age-related cognitive decline?

HIIT exercise is unique because it involves short bursts of intense physical activity followed by rest, which may improve cognitive function by enhancing cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. Unlike other treatments, HIIT focuses on high intensity, which might be more effective for cognitive improvement in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. ^{1 3 10 11 12}

Research Team

Ronald Lazar, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 60-75 with high blood pressure who don't exercise much (less than 150 minutes of moderate activity per week). They must be able to exercise, have a smart device, and access to an upright cycle ergometer. People with very low or very high blood pressure, severe lung disease, untreated mental health issues, dementia, significant eye problems or conditions preventing exercise cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

My doctor has diagnosed me with high blood pressure.

You have a stationary bike at home or can access one at a gym.

engages in less than 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise/week (as determined by CHAMPS Questionnaire)

Exclusion Criteria

I have not received treatment for depression or anxiety.

I have been diagnosed with dementia.

Have you been diagnosed with Substance Abuse?

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Baseline visits include neurocognitive testing, VO2 max testing, blood draws, and retinal scans

1-2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Exercise Intervention

Participants engage in supervised cardiovascular exercise with heart rate monitoring 4 days per week

10 weeks

At-home exercise, supervised virtually

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for cognitive, exercise, and retinal microvascular changes after the intervention

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Exercise (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests if High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) can improve brain function in older adults by increasing fitness and vascular health. Participants will do HIIT exercises while the researchers measure growth factors in their blood and use retinal scans to check changes in their vascular networks.

Participant Groups

Group I: Vascular Density Improvement in Hypertensive Participants Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will undergo baseline visits and follow-up visits to include neurocognitive testing, VO2 max testing (graded exercise test), blood draws, and retinal scans. Potential subjects must pass an exercise stress test with 12-lead ECG, and training sessions (exercise protocol). Standardized neurocognitive tests assessing functions such as memory and attention will be administered and retinal scans will be conducted. The at-home exercise intervention will be supervised via the Polar beat/flow applications by study personnel. Subjects will engage in cardiovascular exercise with heart rate monitoring on 4 days per week for a total of 10 weeks.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1677

Patients Recruited

2,458,000+

Findings from Research

Acute high intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) have shown significant improvements in cognitive functions related to work performance, such as attention and memory, in 18 out of 36 studies reviewed, involving a total of 11 to 945 participants.

Despite the promising results, most studies were conducted in controlled environments rather than actual workplace settings, indicating a need for further research to explore the practical applications of HIIT/SIT on cognitive function in real-world job scenarios.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High intensity and sprint interval training, and work-related cognitive function in adults: A systematic review. Gilson, ND., Andersson, D., Papinczak, ZE., et al.[2023]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

HIITing the brain with exercise: mechanisms, consequences and practical recommendations. Calverley, TA., Ogoh, S., Marley, CJ., et al.[2021]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training on Cognition in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review. Rivas-Campo, Y., García-Garro, PA., Aibar-Almazán, A., et al.[2023]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cognitive Flexibility in Older Adults. Mekari, S., Neyedli, HF., Fraser, S., et al.[2020]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term high-intensity interval training increases serum neurotrophic factors in elderly overweight and obese Chinese adults. Li, X., Han, T., Zou, X., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Interval Training in Older Adults: a Scoping Review. Marriott, CFS., Petrella, AFM., Marriott, ECS., et al.[2021]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can high-intensity interval training improve physical and mental health outcomes? A meta-review of 33 systematic reviews across the lifespan. Martland, R., Mondelli, V., Gaughran, F., et al.[2023]

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is as effective, if not more so, than traditional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) for patients with cardiovascular disease, based on a systematic review of 23 studies involving 1117 participants.

The safety profile of HIIT in cardiac rehabilitation is promising, with only one major cardiovascular adverse event reported per 17,083 training sessions, indicating that HIIT can be safely implemented in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Interval Training for Patients With Cardiovascular Disease-Is It Safe? A Systematic Review. Wewege, MA., Ahn, D., Yu, J., et al.[2021]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Research advances on high-intensity interval training and cognitive function]. Hu, JY., Cai, M., Shang, QH., et al.[2021]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Study protocol for the BRAIN Training Trial: a randomised controlled trial of Balance, Resistance, And INterval training on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Valenzuela, T., Coombes, JS., Liu-Ambrose, T., et al.[2023]

A 6-month randomized controlled trial will assess the effects of aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), and their combination on cognitive function in 216 older adults (ages 65-85) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The study aims to determine how different types of exercise can help prevent cognitive decline and potentially delay the onset of dementia, highlighting the importance of exercise as a therapeutic intervention for cognitive health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reshaping the path of mild cognitive impairment by refining exercise prescription: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial to understand the "what," "for whom," and "how" of exercise to promote cognitive function. Barha, CK., Falck, RS., Best, JR., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing Cognition in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment through High-Intensity Functional Training: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Rivas-Campo, Y., Aibar-Almazán, A., Rodríguez-López, C., et al.[2023]

References

1. Denmark pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High intensity and sprint interval training, and work-related cognitive function in adults: A systematic review. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

HIITing the brain with exercise: mechanisms, consequences and practical recommendations. [2021]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training on Cognition in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review. [2023]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cognitive Flexibility in Older Adults. [2020]

5. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term high-intensity interval training increases serum neurotrophic factors in elderly overweight and obese Chinese adults. [2022]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Interval Training in Older Adults: a Scoping Review. [2021]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can high-intensity interval training improve physical and mental health outcomes? A meta-review of 33 systematic reviews across the lifespan. [2023]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Interval Training for Patients With Cardiovascular Disease-Is It Safe? A Systematic Review. [2021]

9. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Research advances on high-intensity interval training and cognitive function]. [2021]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Study protocol for the BRAIN Training Trial: a randomised controlled trial of Balance, Resistance, And INterval training on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. [2023]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reshaping the path of mild cognitive impairment by refining exercise prescription: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial to understand the "what," "for whom," and "how" of exercise to promote cognitive function. [2022]

12. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing Cognition in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment through High-Intensity Functional Training: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]