Randomized Trial of Exercise and Social Interaction in a Community-Based Sample of Non-Demented Chinese Elders (SCIBHI)
Cognitive Impairment, Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Cognitive Impairment focused on measuring magnetic resonance imaging, cognition, Tai Chi, physical exercise, mental exercise, intervention trial, prevention, dementia, Alzheimer disease, mild cognitive impairment
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- living in defined area
- either sex
- aged 60-79
Exclusion Criteria:
- history of stroke, Parkinson's disease or other neurologic disease
- inability to walk unassisted for two kilometers or maintain balance with feet side-by-side or semi-tandem for 10 seconds each
- education-adjusted Chinese Mini-Mental Examination score < 26 (to exclude individuals with dementia or moderate cognitive impairment
- cardiovascular or musculoskeletal conditions that would be contraindicated for the intervention programs
- contraindications for MRI
- diagnosis of any illness that would preclude participation in the full study
- regular vigorous exercise or Tai Chi practice.
Sites / Locations
- Huashan Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Fast walking
Tai Chi
Intellectual stimulation
Contact and testing only
Participants assigned to this group met with two group leaders three times per week in the morning in Jing An Park and were encouraged to walk quickly around a 400 meter circular route. Each session consisted of 10 minutes of warm-up stretching, 30 minutes of brisk walking, and 10 minutes of cool-down exercises. Prior to the first session, each participant was given a pedometer with their name on it. They were asked to take 100 steps and the sensitivity and positioning of the pedometer was adjusted to assure accurate measurement. At the termination of each session, the pedometers were collected and the number of steps taken by each participant at that session recorded. A record of the number of steps taken for every participant at each session over the 40 week period was maintained.
Participants assigned to this group met with a Tai Chi master and assistant three times per week in the morning in Jing An Park or at a nearby gymnasium depending on weather conditions. Each session included 20 min of warm-up exercises (lower back and hamstring stretching, gentle calisthenics, and balance training), 20 min of Tai Chi practice, and 10 min of cool-down exercises.
Participants assigned to this group met with a group leader and an assistant for one hour three times a week in the morning at the neighborhood community center. Although direction was initially given regarding subjects for discussion, the participants decided on their own to organize and select topics themselves.
The fourth group received no intervention. Contact was maintained by phone during the intervention period to reduce dropout. Participants were called four times during the 40 weeks intervention period by the study coordinator.