RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT04029623

Partnered Rhythmic Rehabilitation in Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease

Partnered Rhythmic Rehabilitation for Enhanced Motor-Cognition in Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease

Sponsor

Emory University

Enrollment

66 participants

Start Date

Oct 29, 2019

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease

Summary

Interventions that affect many different aspects of human ability rather than just one aspect of human health are more likely to be successful in preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). Functional decline in AD is severely impacted by impaired ability to do physical actions while having to make decisions and concentrating, something scientists call motor-cognitive integration. Combined motor and cognitive training has been recommended for people with early AD, thus this study will use partnered, rhythmic rehabilitation (PRR), as an intervention to simultaneously target cardiovascular, social and motor-cognitive domains important to AD. PRR is moderate intensity, cognitively-engaging social dance that targets postural control systems, involves learning multiple, varied stepping and rhythmic patterns, and fosters tactile communication of motor goals between partners, enhancing social interaction's effect on cognition. Previous research demonstrates that PRR classes are safe and result in no injurious falls. This study is a 12-month long Phase II single- blind randomized clinical trial using PRR in 66 patients with early AD. Participants with early AD will be randomly assigned to participate in PRR or a walking program for three months of biweekly sessions, followed by nine months of weekly sessions of PRR or walking. The overarching hypothesis is that PRR is safe, tolerable and associated with improved motor-cognitive function, and brain (neuronal), vascular (blood vessels) and inflammatory biomarkers that might affect function.

Eligibility

Min Age: 50 YearsMax Age: 80 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study explores whether rhythmic partner-assisted exercise (like dancing or rhythmic movement done with another person) can help people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease — a condition called mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — improve their thinking, memory, and physical function. **You may be eligible if...** - You have been diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (early-stage memory problems linked to Alzheimer's risk) - Your memory score on a standard test falls in the mild impairment range - You can walk at least 10 feet without a walking aid - You get less than the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week - You have not been in a structured exercise program in the past 3 months - You completed at least 6 grades of education or have a solid work history **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You already exercise regularly at or above recommended levels - You cannot walk independently - You have severe cognitive decline (full dementia) Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

OTHERPartnered Rhythmic Rehabilitation (PRR)

Partnered Rhythmic Rehabilitation (PRR) is moderate intensity, cognitively-engaging social dance that targets postural control systems. PRR involves learning complex stepping patterns and fosters tactile communication of motor goals between partners, enhancing social interaction's effect on cognition. Class sizes will consist of 10 or fewer pairs of participants with pAD and partners to maximize safety. Participants will engage in partnering exercises on how to interpret motor goals through touch, exercises to develop understanding of temporal relationship of movement to music, novel step introduction, connecting previously learned and novel step elements. Classes include practicing previously-learned steps, a 20-minute standing warm-up, and partnering and rhythmic enhancement exercises.

OTHERGroup walking (WALK)

WALK sessions consist of 10 minutes of warm-up, and evaluation/tips for practicing safe walking form mechanics (i.e., head up, shoulders relaxed, abdominals engaged, heel strike, roll and toe off; keep natural stride length, and speed up cadence if increased speed is desired), 55 minutes of walking with breaks, and 20 minutes of balance and stretching. WALK will take place in small groups with research assistants and trained family members and/or caregivers to control for social effects/contact of intervention. Participants of similar walking abilities will be 'buddied' with research assistants and trained physical therapy students who will act as group backmarkers, although participants will lead the pace. WALK participants will keep walking logs documenting their progress. WALK is expected to expend 3 metabolic equivalents (METs), like that of PRR.