Treadmill Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byTrisha Kesar, PT, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Emory University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?In people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), reduced capacity for locomotor adaptation is a fundamental but poorly understood mechanism that can be a sensitive biomarker of cognitive-motor impairments. It is also an important therapeutic target for exercise-based interventions to improve walking function. The overall goal of this study is to understand the effects of MCI and AD on locomotor adaptation and walking function.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older adults who can walk without help and have been formally diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's Disease by a neurologist. They should not have any medical conditions that affect walking, no recent hospitalizations, and must be able to perform study tasks.

Inclusion Criteria

I have no health conditions that affect my ability to walk.

Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD): AD and MCI defined through formal diagnosis by a board-certified Neurologist using specified criteria including memory concerns, abnormal memory function, specific MMSE score range, CDR score, preserved functional performance, impaired executive function, ability to walk without assistive device, education/work history, and not hospitalized within the last 60 days

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any major health issues that would prevent me from joining the study.

Participant Groups

The study tests how well people with MCI or AD adapt their walking on a split-belt treadmill over five sessions. The goal is to understand the impact of these cognitive conditions on the ability to adjust walking patterns, which could lead to better exercise-based treatments.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Split-beltTreadmill-based Locomotor Adaptation in Older Adults with MCIExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) complete 5 split-belt treadmill walking exercise sessions over a 2-week period.

Group II: Split-beltTreadmill-based Locomotor Adaptation in Older Adults with ADExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Older adults with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) complete 5 split-belt treadmill walking exercise sessions over a 2-week period.