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Cognitive Control to Boost Physical Activity Adherence

University of Iowa · with Northeastern University, National Institute on Aging (NIA) · NCT06338774

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 40–65 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
264
US sites recruiting
2
Study start
September 1, 2024
Record last updated
December 11, 2025

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

This trial is designed to develop and test the efficacy of cognitive training strategies to improve self-regulatory capacities for middle-aged adults to adopt and sustain a physically active lifestyle. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Can cognitive training designed to improve cognitive control improve physical activity adherence?
  • What are the psychological, physiological, cognitive, and sociodemographic factors that affect the impact of cognitive control on physical activity adherence?

Participants will

  • Complete a 6-week home-based, computerized cognitive training program
  • Complete a 6-week home-based, aerobic exercise training program with supervision of a health coach and trainer
  • Complete a 6-week home-based, aerobic exercise training program prescribed by a health coach and trainer
  • Visit the laboratory before and after cognitive training, and before and after physical training, to complete assessments of cognition and aerobic fitness

Being studied: Cognitive training; Exercise

Conditions: Physical Inactivity

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Between the ages of 40 and 65 years old
  • Full-time working status of an average of 35 hrs./week or more
  • Scoring as "Low Active" by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)
  • Eligible to participate in an aerobic exercise intervention based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
  • Approval from their Primary Care Physician for approval to participate in the prescribed training program
  • Corrected vision of 20/40
  • Fluent in English to ensure instructions for cognitive assessments and training are understood clearly

Exclusion Criteria

  • Impairments in hearing inhibiting the ability to discuss study instructions or directions
  • Visual impairments that prevent the perception of color, or loss of sight in the visual field
  • Qualify as "high risk" for exercise-induced adverse events by American College of Sports Medicine criteria will be excluded, which includes known or symptomatic chronic cardiovascular or metabolic disease
  • Not fluent in English
  • Inability to comply with experimental instructions or access a tablet or computer to complete computerized training
  • Previous diagnosis of a neurological or psychiatric condition, including diagnosis with any of the following: major depression, Attention Deficit Disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, meningitis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), or brain aneurysm surgery.
  • Previous diagnosis of a heart condition, cardiovascular disease, or a recent cardiovascular event (such as high blood pressure or cholesterol) that would increase the risk for an adverse event in response to vigorous exercise, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), uncontrolled asthma (this includes anyone who has asthma but is not on medication.
  • Previous diagnosis of a chronic condition such as cystic fibrosis, unregulated thyroid disorder (this includes anyone with thyroid disease that is not on medication), untreated diabetes, renal or liver disease, heart murmur, arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.
  • Previous brain surgery or injury associated with concussion or loss of consciousness that required rehabilitation or caregiver assistance to regain function (i.e., dressing/personal hygiene)
  • Previous diagnosis of Alzheimer\'s or related dementias
  • Current or previous cancer treatments within the last 6 months
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant

Recruiting US locations

  • Psychological and Brain Sciences Building

    Iowa City, IA 52242

    Site contact: Michelle W Voss, PhD · 319-335-2057 · michelle-voss@uiowa.edu

  • Center for Cognitive and Brain Health

    Boston, MA 02115

    Site contact: Charles Hillman, PhD · 617-373-8342 · c.hillman@northeastern.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Michelle W Voss, PhD · 319-335-2057 · michelle-voss@uiowa.edu
  • Charles Hillman, PhD · 617.373.8342 · c.hillman@northeastern.edu
Cognitive Control to Boost Physical Activity Adherence (NCT06338774) | Bored Studies