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Project Gnosis: the Neurophysical and Psychosocial Health Outcomes of Tai Chi for Older Adults with Cognitive Concerns or Mild Cognitive Impairment

Ohio University · NCT06828926

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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 60+ · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
50
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
February 12, 2025
Record last updated
February 17, 2025

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

What the study is about

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in older adults is linked to muscle loss (sarcopenia) and can lead to dementia, with pain further impacting cognitive and physical performance. Tai Chi, a mind-body exercise, is recommended for managing MCI as it supports cognitive function, mood, and physical health.

The investigators' first goal is to characterize the correlation of heart rate variability and cortical activity on cognitive function and the psychosocial correlates of pain interference and social isolation on cognitive function at baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks of Tai Chi). The second goal is to explain the role of sarcopenia and obesity in the relationship between pain interference and cognitive function. The investigators also want to examine the index of the predictive capacity regarding sarcopenia and obesity on cognitive function outcomes.

Being studied: Tai Chi

Conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); Sarcopenia

Eligibility criteria

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

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Participants who are older adults, defined as ≥60 years old.
  • Participants must have the ability to independently stand without the use of an assistive device for 20 minutes.
  • People with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (initial cohort) and without MCI (age-gender matched healthy controls). A score of between >18 and ≤26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will be used to classify MCI. A score above 26 is considered normal.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Participants with significant uncontrolled medication, and cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic symptoms will be excluded from participation in the study, as these symptoms could impact their engagement with the engagement of Tai Chi.
  • Investigators will administer a brief screening questionnaire to assess (a) hypotension symptoms related to intensive treatment of hypertension and (b) hypoglycemia related to intensive treatment of diabetes, as these conditions are associated with cognitive decline.
  • Investigators will capture data on potential sleep apnea and administer the Stop-Bang Questionnaire to identify potential sleep-disordered breathing. Participants with significant uncontrolled sleep apnea will be excluded as this could also impact their engagement in the intervention and influence the primary outcome measure of cognitive function.
  • Currently or recently practicing Tai Chi. Participants will be excluded if they are currently practicing Tai Chi. If participants have previously engaged in Tai Chi, there will be a washout period of at least 6 months before considering enrollment in the study.

Recruiting US locations

  • Ohio University

    Athens, OH 45701

    Site contact: Nicholas Karayannis · 740-593-1044 · nvkaray@ohio.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Nicholas Karayannis, MPT, PhD · +1 740-593-1044 · nvkaray@ohio.edu
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Project Gnosis: the Neurophysical and Psychosocial Health Outcomes… (NCT06828926) | Bored Studies