Up-2 Study: Cognitively Engaging Walking Exercise and Neuromodulation to Enhance Brain Function in Older Adults

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · Apr 25, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Up-2 Study is looking at how a special type of walking exercise, combined with a gentle brain stimulation technique, can help improve thinking and movement in older adults who are experiencing some decline in these areas. The researchers want to find out if stimulating certain parts of the brain while participants engage in this walking exercise can lead to better results compared to a placebo, which is a treatment that has no active effect.

To join the study, participants must be 65 years or older and have noticed some changes in their thinking or memory over the past year. They should also be able to walk independently for at least six minutes, although using a cane is allowed. The study is currently recruiting individuals, regardless of gender, who meet these criteria. Participants can expect to take part in walking exercises and receive either the brain stimulation or a placebo while being closely monitored. This research could help us understand better ways to support brain health in older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 65+
• • Objective executive function decline, based on standardized cognitive assessments.
• • Subjective cognitive decline, based on the question: "During the past 12 months, have you experienced confusion or memory loss that is happening more often or getting worse?"
• • Ability to walking independently for 6 minutes (use of cane permitted)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Major cognitive disorder that interferes with independence
• • Percentile score less than 10th percentile on standardized cognitive assessments
• • Medications that are thought to influence tDCS neuroplasticity.
• • Contraindications to tDCS or MRI.