N/A N=45 Randomized Treatment

CogXergaming to Promote Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Frail Older Adults

Frail Older Adults

Bottom Line

View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04534686 ↗

Enrolled (actual)

Serious AEs

0.0%

Results posted

Aug 2025

Primary outcome: Primary: Change in 30-second Chair Stand Performance — 10.28; 12.11; 12.36; 12.30 number of repetitions

Study Design & Population

Study type: Interventional
Phase: N/A
Interventions: CogXergaming (Behavioral); Matter of Balance Training (Behavioral)
Age: Adult, Older Adult · 60+ yrs
Sex: All
Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago
Primary completion: Dec 2022

Outcome Measures

Outcome	Result	p-value
PRIMARY Change in 30-second Chair Stand Performance	10.28; 12.11; 12.36; 12.30	—
PRIMARY Change in Walking Performance	25.93; 26.95; 26.92; 26.93	—
PRIMARY Change in Cardiovascular Fitness	75.06; 78.61; 85.45; 82.71	—
PRIMARY Change in Physical Activity	72.68; 77.11; 110.03; 92.49	—
PRIMARY Change in Movement Velocity	—	—
PRIMARY Change in End Point Excursion	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Directional Control	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Maximum Excursion	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Postural Stability During Reactive Balance Control (Single and Dual-task)	—	—
PRIMARY Change of Accuracy in Letter Number Sequencing	—	—
PRIMARY Change in 4 Meter Walk Test	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Spatial and Temporal Gait Parameters	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Accuracy of Auditory Stroop	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Dual-task Cost	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Interference in the Reaction Time	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Language Fluency	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Reaction Time	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Paired Associated Learning	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Spatial Working Memory	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Working Memory	16.11; 16.22; 16.85; 16.11	—
PRIMARY Change in Episodic Memory	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Accuracy of Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Cognitive Flexibility and Attention	—	—
PRIMARY Change in Processing Speed	—	—
PRIMARY Changes in Fractional Anisotropy	—	—
SECONDARY Berg Balance Scale	—	—
SECONDARY Change in Physical Activity Level (Questionnaires)	—	—
SECONDARY Change in Physical Activity Level	—	—

Summary

Due to the age associated sarcopenia and reduced cardiovascular fitness, frail older adults experience significant decrease in physical function which comprises of mobility, endurance, muscle strength and balance control. The impaired physical function results in poor quality of life and reduced community participation, leading to increased frailty and long-term disability. Further, compared to cognitively intact frail older adults, cognitively impaired frail older adults experience greater deterioration of such physical function, specifically during dual-task performances (i.e., simultaneous performance of cognitive and motor task). This deterioration occurs due to increased cognitive-motor interference as a result of dual-tasking and is known to increase exhaustion among frail older adults. Previous studies have used multicomponent training and have shown to improve physical function and maintain cardiovascular functioning. However, the capacity of such interventions to improve cognitive function along with physical function is not known or unclear. Further, the concurrent comorbidities that occur along with psychosocial issues such as depression present as barriers and lead to reduced compliance to therapy leaving only a few of them to benefit from it. Alternate forms of therapy such as exergaming with explicit cognitive training has shown promising effects in improving motor and motor function in disabled populations. These studies use a cost-effective, off the shelf device such as Nintendo Wii or Microsoft Kinect to deliver the training which is easily available and clinically translatable. Further, such training has demonstrated increase in brain connectivity enhancing cognitive functions associated with balance control. However, there is limited literature examining the effect of exergaming in older frail population and the efficacy of such training is unknown. Therefore, this study proposes a randomized controlled trial to examine the feasibility of CogXergaming program with an aim to improve locomotor-balance control, cognition, muscular system and cardiovascular fitness.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Older adults aged 60 years or above
Walking speed 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HRmax) (HRmax = 220 - age), 2) systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 165 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 110 mmHg during resting), and/or 3) oxygen saturation (measured by pulse oximeter) during resting < 90%.
Unable to stand for 5 minutes without an assistive device (length of a Wii Fit game)
Uncontrolled acute medical/surgical, neurological or cardiovascular disease
History of bone fracture or significant other systemic disease or surgery in the last six months
Moderate to severe cognitive impairment (MOCA <24/30)
Specific to MRI participants: Self-reported presence of pacemaker, metal implants other than orthopedic implants, and/or Claustrophobia, cataract surgery (lens not compatible to the MRI confirmed by the MRI technician)

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04534686). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.