The purpose of this study is to determine whether an aerobic training intervention will alter markers of immune cell aging, improve exercise capacity and blood pressure and decrease psychological distress over 24 weeks in 32 caregivers compared to 32 age-matched wait list control caregivers.
The investigators will prospectively examine whether an aerobic training intervention will alter markers of immune cell aging (i.e. increase telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, telomere length in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and leukocytes, mitochondrial function, epigenetic profiles, and mRNA expression), improve exercise capacity and blood pressure, and decrease psychological distress over 24 weeks in 32 caregivers compared to 32 age-matched wait list control caregivers. Our sample will be comprised of caregivers who provide unpaid care for a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. Participants in the study will be highly stressed and inactive male and female caregivers of family members with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. All eligible participants will complete one week of ecological momentary assessments (EMA) to examine whether (1) previously unfit, high-stressed caregivers benefit psychologically from becoming active, (2) this benefit is derived through changes in how caregivers react to and recover from stressful events, and (3) whether these salubrious psychological effects mediate changes in biological outcomes (e.g., cellular aging). Next, participants will participate in a one-week run-in period of stretching 30 minutes on 4 separate days prior to randomization to guarantee that the investigators are randomizing well-informed participants that are willing and able to complete the expected exercise. Next, participants are randomized into the aerobic exercise or wait list control arm. In the 24th week of the study, participants complete a second week of the EMAs sub-study, and return after week 24 for a final blood draw. Research study assessments consist of self-report questionnaires, body composition, physical performance and fitness tests, and a fasting blood draw. The follow-up visit, 24 weeks later, consists of a repeat of the same morning health visit.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
68
For 24 weeks, subjects randomized into the aerobic training group will be asked to increase their physical activity level to meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for physical activity of 150 minutes per week of moderate activity. A first visit with a fitness coach support provider, followed by weekly coaching texts and phone calls, will provide the framework for the activities in which participants should engage.
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States
Change in Telomerase in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Change from Baseline in Telomerase in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells at 24 weeks. Participants will provide blood samples at their baseline study visit, which occurs before the start of the intervention, and at their visit at the end of the 24th week of the study.
Time frame: Measured at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 24
Change in Cardiovascular Fitness
Change from Baseline in Cardiovascular Fitness at 24 weeks. Participants will participate in fitness testing (treadmill test and respiratory gas analysis/ V02 Peak) at their baseline study visit, which occurs before the start of the intervention, and at their visit at the end of the 24th week of the study.
Time frame: Measured at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 24
Change in Diastolic and Systolic Blood Pressure
Change from Baseline in Change in Diastolic and Systolic Blood Pressure at 24 weeks. Study staff will measure blood pressure at participant's baseline study visit, which occurs before the start of the intervention, and at their visit at the end of the 24th week of the study.
Time frame: Measured at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 24
Change in Psychological Well-being (general and daily)
Change from Baseline in Change in Psychological Well-being (general and daily) at 24 weeks. We will collect perceived stress, caregiving burden, depression measures, emotion regulation, marital satisfaction, rumination, anxiety, self-esteem, and other measures of psychological well-being and distress at their baseline study visit, which occurs before the start of the intervention, and at their visit at the end of the 24th week of the study. We will also have ecological momentary assessments six times a day for one week prior to the intervention and again in the final, 24th, week of the study to examine changes in stress sensitivity as a result of exercise.
Time frame: Measured at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 24
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Change in Telomere Length in Leukocyte/ Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Change from Baseline in Telomere Length in Leukocyte/ Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells at 24 weeks. Participants will provide blood samples at their baseline study visit, which occurs before the start of the intervention, and at their visit at the end of the 24th week of the study. We will measure telomere length pre- and post-intervention in Leukocyte and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.
Time frame: Measured at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 24
Change in Mitochondrial Functioning (Enzyme Activity, DNA Copy Number) in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Change from Baseline in Mitochondrial Functioning in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells at 24 weeks. Participants will provide blood samples at their baseline study visit, which occurs before the start of the intervention, and at their visit at the end of the 24th week of the study.
Time frame: Measured at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 24
Change in Epigenetic Aging Profiles
Change from Baseline in Epigenetic Aging Profiles (i.e. Methylation), at 24 weeks. Participants will provide blood samples at their baseline study visit, which occurs before the start of the intervention, and at their visit at the end of the 24th week of the study.
Time frame: Measured at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 24
Change in mRNA expression
Change from Baseline in mRNA expression, at 24 weeks. Participants will provide blood samples at their baseline study visit, which occurs before the start of the intervention, and at their visit at the end of the 24th week of the study.
Time frame: Measured at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 24