Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
We are carrying out a study to test the effects of physical training with a video dance game on executive functions and frontal brain activity. Executive functions, a set of mental processes that helps connect past experience with present action, are used to perform activities such as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention to and remembering details. Our goal is to find the effects of the training programs on brain functions. The study's findings should help to improve the well-being of elderly and help prevent age-related changes in brain functioning.
Who can participate?
Men and women, aged over 70 years and able to walk independently for 10 minutes.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to participate in one of two possible training programs. Group 1 receives a progressive dance video game training performed over 30 minutes, three times per week, on dance pads. The program lasts 8 weeks. Group 2 receives an intervention with progressive balance training and additional stretching exercises performed over 30 minutes, three times per week, on dance pads and the program lasts 8 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, we will compare executive functioning and frontal brain activity while walking on a treadmill.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There will be no immediate direct benefit to those taking part but there should be benefits to elderly people in the future because the results of the study are likely to influence how fall prevention training should be designed.
The main risk of training is getting an injury because of increasing the difficulty of the exercise too quickly.
Where is the study run from?
The study has been set up by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (Switzerland). Participants will be recruited in the city of St.Gallen, Switzerland and surrounding communities. Training intervention will take place in the Geriatrics Hospital St.Gallen.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
Recruitment started in October 2013. Participants were enrolled on the study for a period of four months and the study completed in February 2014.
Who is funding the study?
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and Zurcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), Switzerland.
Who is the main contact?
Dr Eling D. de Bruin
eling.debruin@hest.ethz.ch
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Eling D. de Bruin
ORCID ID
Contact details
Inst.f.Bewegungswissenschaften und Sport
HIT J 32.3
Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27
Zurich
8093
Switzerland
+41 44 632 40 18
eling.debruin@hest.ethz.ch
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
EKSG 13/089
Study information
Scientific title
Pre-frontal brain activity during walking and executive functions following training: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) study
Acronym
EXERBRAIN
Study hypothesis
We hypothesize that the prefrontal cortex will show changes in activation properties following a video-exergame training intervention in elderly.
Ethics approval
The Medical Ethics Committee of the Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland (EKSG 13/089)
Study design
Randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Other
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Video-exergame training intervention in elderly
Intervention
Participants are randomised to one of two groups:
Intervention Group: Receives a progressive dance video game training performed during 30 minutes, three times per week, on dance pads. The program lasts 8 weeks.
Control Group: Receives an intervention with progressive balance training and additional stretching exercises for the same time period and with an equal frequency and training duration.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Near-infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) imaging to assess bilateral increase of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) in the prefrontal cortex during treadmill walking
Secondary outcome measures
1. Cognitive functioning (shifting, inhibition and updating): paper & pencil test / measured at baseline and three months
2. Short physical performance battery (SPPB): physical performance test / measured at baseline and three months
Overall trial start date
01/10/2013
Overall trial end date
28/02/2014
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Aged 65 years or older
2. Living independently or in a retirement home
3. Being able to walk 10 minutes without a break on a treadmill
4. Being healthy (self-reported)
5. Having given written informed consent
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Senior
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
40
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Individuals who reported more than one serious health complaint (e.g. recent heart attack, uncontrolled diabetes or uncontrolled hypertension)
2. Individuals who reported diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or recent head injuries
Recruitment start date
01/10/2013
Recruitment end date
28/02/2014
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Switzerland
Trial participating centre
Inst.f.Bewegungswissenschaften und Sport
Zurich
8093
Switzerland
Sponsor information
Organisation
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) (Switzerland)
Sponsor details
c/o Dr. Eling Douwe de Bruin
Inst.f.Bewegungswissenschaften und Sport
HIT J 32.3
Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27
Zürich
8093
Switzerland
+41 44 632 40 18
eling.debruin@hest.ethz.ch
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
Zurcher Kantonalbank (Switzerland) within the framework of sponsoring of movement sciences, sports and nutritional sciences at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) (Switzerland)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list