Effectiveness Of Computer-Based Cognitive Training in Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Effectiveness Of Computer-Based Cognitive Training Combined With Aerobic Training in Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Background: Ageing is frequently accompanied by physiological changes that might result in a deterioration in physical and cognitive abilities, which frequently leads to institutionalization or the loss of autonomy. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal cognitive aging and early dementia, the optimal period to intervene with preventive strategies and early treatments. Thus, the current study intends to investigate the effects of aerobic and computer-based cognitive training on age-related cognitive decline.

Methods: This is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (n = 60) will be randomized to 2 arms and treated for 12 weeks: arm 1 (aerobic exercise and computerized cognitive training) and arm 2 (Placebo; will not receive any intervention). Outcome measure used were Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test, Barthel Index (BI) and short form survey-12 (SF-12).

Statistical Analysis: To compare the baseline characteristics and outcome variables between the two groups, independent t-tests was employed. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to determine the interaction effect of time (baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up) and group (intervention vs. control) on the outcome measures.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Age-related Cognitive Decline
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Aerobic Exercise and Computerized Cognitive Training; Other: Conventional Exercises and Brain health lectures

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Saudi Arabia
  • Jazan, Saudi Arabia
    • Jazan University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Who fulfilled MCI criteria [10]: (1) subjective cognitive concerns; (2) objective cognitive impairment in memory, executive function, attention, and/or language; (3) preserved activities of daily living; and (4) absence of dementia
• Literate
• Had adequate visual, auditory, and fine motor skills.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Major depression (scored > 9 in the Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15) [11]
• Schizophrenia
• Substance abuse
• parkinsonism
• conditions affecting gait (eg, severe osteoarthritis, previous stroke),
• participated in any cognitive training program during last 6 months > 2 h/week
• ACSM contraindications to exercise or other factors that make exercise impossible or unsafe
• cognitive enhancers, or anticholinergics

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Interventional Group (Aerobic Exercise and Computerized Cognitive Training); Aerobic Exercise (AE) included walk briskly, increasing intensity and duration progressively. The first week they had to walk 30 min per day, 3 days per week, up to 9-10 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (BRPES; Borg, 1982) perceived as light intensity; during the second week, the duration was increased to 45 min and the intensity 9-10 and frequency (3 days per week) were maintained; the following 10 weeks they maintained the duration (45 min) and frequency (3 days per week) and increased the intensity up to 12-14 on BRPES perceived as moderate-high effort. Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) included a multidomain computer-based cognitive training using the brainHQ software in sessions of 45 min, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Cognitive tasks targeted attention, recognition, colour and shape, identification, calculation, visual perception, visual spatial processing, memory, and executive function).	Other: Aerobic Exercise and Computerized Cognitive Training; Aerobic Exercise (AE) included walk briskly, increasing intensity and duration progressively. The first week they had to walk 30 min per day, 3 days per week, up to 9-10 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (BRPES; Borg, 1982) perceived as light intensity; during the second week, the duration was increased to 45 min and the intensity 9-10 and frequency (3 days per week) were maintained; the following 10 weeks they maintained the duration (45 min) and frequency (3 days per week) and increased the intensity up to 12-14 on BRPES perceived as moderate-high effort. Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) included a multidomain computer-based cognitive training using the brainHQ software in sessions of 45 min, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Cognitive tasks targeted attention, recognition, colour and shape, identification, calculation, visual perception, visual spatial processing, memory, and executive function.
Active Comparator: Control Group; Participants were exposed to balancing, coordination, stretching, and core exercises. Additionally, they attended brain health lectures to provide a comparative non-interactive cognitive engagement. Both the exercises and lectures were scheduled similar to the intervention group over 12 weeks.	Other: Conventional Exercises and Brain health lectures; Participants were exposed to balancing, coordination, stretching, and core exercises. Additionally, they attended brain health lectures to provide a comparative non-interactive cognitive engagement. Both the exercises and lectures were scheduled similar to the intervention group over 12 weeks

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Montreal Cognitive Assessment test	A commonly used test to assess different cognitive domains, including short-term memory recall, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, attention, concentration, and working memory. MoCA scores range between 0 and 30 where the highest score is considered to be normal.	at the baseline (day 0), at the end of the treatment (after 12 weeks) as well as after 4 weeks of follow up (after 16 weeks)
Barthel Index	This index was used to measure an individual's capacity to perform ten activities of daily living, reflecting their functional independence. Total possible scores range from 0 - 20, with lower scores indicating increased disability.	at the baseline (day 0), at the end of the treatment (after 12 weeks) as well as after 4 weeks of follow up (after 16 weeks)
Short form survey-12	A generic measure utilized to assess the health-related quality of life, covering both physical and mental health dimensions. The summary scores range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. Higher the SF-12 scores, indicates the higher (better) quality of life.	at the baseline (day 0), at the end of the treatment (after 12 weeks) as well as after 4 weeks of follow up (after 16 weeks)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Jazan

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 15, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 25, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): February 12, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 5, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 17, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): January 26, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 29, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 24, 2025
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cognition; Exercises; Aerobic Training; Computer Based Cognitive Training
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Cognition Disorders; Cognitive Dysfunction
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC-45/06/919

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No