Program for African American Cognition & Exercise
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Healthy Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 65 - 85 |
| Updated: | 4/17/2018 |
| Start Date: | February 19, 2018 |
| End Date: | April 20, 2021 |
| Contact: | Alison Carvile |
| Email: | recruiters@pbrc.edu |
| Phone: | 225-763-3000 |
The study is designed to develop and evaluate a physical activity promotion program among
elderly African Americans with a long-term goal of reducing risk of Alzheimer's disease. The
motivation for this study is that previous exercise interventions have improved cognitive
function in older adults with and without cognitive impairments, but these studies were
largely conducted without substantial African American representation. Due to genetic and
environmental differences between African American and other populations, it is unclear
whether positive findings from previous interventions will translate to African American
individuals. We hypothesize that a community-based physical activity intervention will a) be
tailored to African American adults, b) increase daily amounts of physical activity, and c)
improve cognitive function in sedentary older African American adults.
elderly African Americans with a long-term goal of reducing risk of Alzheimer's disease. The
motivation for this study is that previous exercise interventions have improved cognitive
function in older adults with and without cognitive impairments, but these studies were
largely conducted without substantial African American representation. Due to genetic and
environmental differences between African American and other populations, it is unclear
whether positive findings from previous interventions will translate to African American
individuals. We hypothesize that a community-based physical activity intervention will a) be
tailored to African American adults, b) increase daily amounts of physical activity, and c)
improve cognitive function in sedentary older African American adults.
We will randomize 56 older African American adults into 1) a physical activity intervention
specifically tailored to older African American or 2) a successful aging group. The 12-week
physical activity intervention will consist of group based exercise sessions at a community
facility and the successful aging groups will occur at Pennington Biomedical. Cognitive
functioning and blood markers of circulating neurotrophic factors will be assessed to
determine the brain effects of physical activity in this understudied population.
Specific Aim 1: To tailor a physical activity promotion intervention to community-dwelling
African American elderly adults. We will use focus groups to gather information needed to
tailor a physical activity program to elderly African Americans.
Specific Aim 2: To determine if a physical activity promotion intervention in African
American adults is effective in modifying physical activity and biological markers.
Specific Aim 3: To determine if a physical activity promotion intervention in African
American adults benefits cognition and brain health. Change over the course of the
intervention will be assessed in key AD related cognitive domains (memory, executive
function, and processing speed).
Collecting this data sets the stage for the definitive study of exercise benefits on measures
of amyloid, tau, inflammation, brain metabolism, and other AD-relevant pathways in elderly
African Americans, which could in turn increase understanding of neurobiological mechanisms
and optimal physical activity recommendations for elderly African Americans.
specifically tailored to older African American or 2) a successful aging group. The 12-week
physical activity intervention will consist of group based exercise sessions at a community
facility and the successful aging groups will occur at Pennington Biomedical. Cognitive
functioning and blood markers of circulating neurotrophic factors will be assessed to
determine the brain effects of physical activity in this understudied population.
Specific Aim 1: To tailor a physical activity promotion intervention to community-dwelling
African American elderly adults. We will use focus groups to gather information needed to
tailor a physical activity program to elderly African Americans.
Specific Aim 2: To determine if a physical activity promotion intervention in African
American adults is effective in modifying physical activity and biological markers.
Specific Aim 3: To determine if a physical activity promotion intervention in African
American adults benefits cognition and brain health. Change over the course of the
intervention will be assessed in key AD related cognitive domains (memory, executive
function, and processing speed).
Collecting this data sets the stage for the definitive study of exercise benefits on measures
of amyloid, tau, inflammation, brain metabolism, and other AD-relevant pathways in elderly
African Americans, which could in turn increase understanding of neurobiological mechanisms
and optimal physical activity recommendations for elderly African Americans.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. 65 - 85 years of age
2. African American
3. sedentary or insufficiently active
4. not cognitively impaired
5. physically capable of exercise
6. willing to accept randomization
7. willing to attend group sessions
8. willing to live in the study area for the next 6 months
9. willing to allow researchers to use data for research purposes after study
participation is completed
10. free of conditions that would make regular exercise unsafe as deemed by the medical
investigator
Exclusion Criteria:
1. unable or unwilling to give informed consent or accept randomization in either study
group
2. are cognitively impaired (MMSE score of ≤ 26)
3. are unable to complete physical activity requirements (SPPB ≤ 3, complete 2 minute
walk without sitting or resting against a surface)
4. are too active (steps per day > 50th percentile for age and gender)
5. have uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 200 mmHg and/or diastolic
blood pressure > 110 mmHg).
6. gave had a hip fracture, hip or knee replacement, or spinal surgery in the past 6
months
7. have had a myocardial infarction, major heart surgery (i.e., valve replacement or
bypass surgery), stroke, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus in the past 6
months
8. are undergoing physical therapy or cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
9. are currently enrolled in another randomized trial involving lifestyle or
pharmaceutical interventions
10. have another member of the household that is a participant in PAACE
11. have plans to relocate out of the study area within the next 6 months
12. have uncontrolled diabetes that in the judgment of the MI may interfere with study
participation
13. have other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that in the judgment of the
Principal or Medical Investigator may interfere with study participation or the
ability to follow the intervention protocol
We found this trial at
1
site
6400 Perkins Rd
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808
(225) 763-2500
Principal Investigator: Robert L. Newton, Jr., PhD
Phone: 225-763-2632
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